Cell homing within endodontic hydrogels: A scoping review

Cell homing has emerged as a promising strategy in dental pulp regeneration using hydrogels, providing a minimally invasive and cell-free alternative. However, the lack of standardized models limits result comparability, biological interpretation and clinical translation.

This scoping review aimed to identify and classify the experimental strategies used to study cell homing with hydrogels in endodontics, and to provide recommendations to improve the physiological relevance and methodological clarity of future research.

Two databases (PubMed and ScienceDirect) were searched for studies published in the past decade. Key variables extracted from each study included the modulated parameters, hydrogel type, targeted tissue, and whether cell homing was investigated.

From 2701 records identified, 2681 were screened and 32 articles were included. Among these, 72% evaluated cell homing using 3D migration models or acellular in vivo approaches. 19% of the studies explicitly reported to perform cell homing and assessed it experimentally, while 53% did not state this intention but assessed it through relevant experiments, revealing a discrepancy between declared intentions and methodological practices.

Standardized methods are needed to clearly define and assess cell homing for dental pulp regeneration.