Engineering the Future of Dental Health: Exploring Molecular Advancements in Dental Pulp Regeneration

Protected by the surrounding mineralized barriers of enamel, dentin, and cementum, dental pulp is a functionally versatile tissue that fulfills multiple roles. In addition to the perception of thermal and mechanical stimuli as a warning system and the deposition of dentin, the pulp performs a variety of immunological functions against invading microorganisms, both in terms of recognition and defense. Especially, in young patients, dental pulp is essential for the completion of root development, and early pulp necrosis results in fracture-prone teeth with fragile root walls [1–4]. Whether in young or adult patients, the loss of pulp tissue due to caries or trauma requires a therapeutic intervention by means of root canal treatment and obturation with a synthetic material. In recent years, innovative attempts have been made to regenerate dental pulp using advanced molecular biology techniques [5,6]. Promising approaches, based on tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, have been developed for this purpose [7,8]. In this context, stem cell-based or primarily cell-free approaches use specifically tailored scaffold materials and signaling molecules to achieve pulp regeneration, both in terms of tissue microarchitecture and functionality (Figure 1). Several of these approaches already take into account the requirements of potential clinical applications [9–11]

Ultrasonic activation of irrigants increases growth factor release from human dentine.

OBJECTIVES Bioactive proteins are sequestered in human dentine and play a decisive role in dental pulp regeneration and repair. They can be released and exposed on the dentine surface by acids, but also chelators, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate whether ultrasonic activation of irrigants in the root canal will promote growth factor release from dentine and (ii) to collect bioactive proteins in a physiological solution. MATERIALS AND METHODS Human dentine disks underwent irrigation with and without ultrasonic activation. The protocols included treatment by either a single or two consecutive steps with 10 % EDTA and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), where each sample was treated three times. To mimic clinical conditions, selected irrigation regimens were applied to root canals of extracted human teeth after preparation. Amounts of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in solution were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Nonparametric statistical analysis was performed to compare different groups as well as repetitions within a group (Mann-Whitney U test, α = 0.05). Additionally, morphological changes of dentine surfaces were visualized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS TGF-β1 was not detectable after irrigation of dentine with PBS, neither with nor without ultrasonic activation. Irrigation with EDTA released TGF-β1, and ultrasonic activation of EDTA enhanced this effect. However, preceding EDTA conditioning enabled the release of bioactive proteins into PBS solution. Similar results were observed in dentine disks and root canals. Visualization of dentine surfaces after different treatment revealed superficial erosion after ultrasonic activation irrespective of the irrigant solution, but different degrees of exposure of organic substance. CONCLUSIONS Ultrasonic activation enhances growth factor release from human dentine. Bioactive proteins can be isolated in physiological solvents and may act as autologous supplements for regenerative endodontic treatment or pulp tissue engineering. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Autologous growth factors from human dentine can advance treatment strategies in dental pulp tissue engineering

A Compilation of Study Models for Dental Pulp Regeneration

Efforts to heal damaged pulp tissue through tissue engineering have produced positive results in pilot trials. However, the differentiation between real regeneration and mere repair is not possible through clinical measures. Therefore, preclinical study models are still of great importance, both to gain insights into treatment outcomes on tissue and cell levels and to develop further concepts for dental pulp regeneration. This review aims at compiling information about different in vitro and in vivo ectopic, semiorthotopic, and orthotopic models. In this context, the differences between monolayer and three-dimensional cell cultures are discussed, a semiorthotopic transplantation model is introduced as an in vivo model for dental pulp regeneration, and finally, different animal models used for in vivo orthotopic investigations are presented

A critical analysis of clinical research methods to study regenerative endodontics

Regenerative endodontic treatment such as revitalization provides a treatment option for immature teeth with pulp necrosis. The main difference to the alternative procedure, the apical plug, is the induction of a blood clot inside the canal as a scaffold for healing and new tissue formation. Due to the biology-based and minimally-invasive nature of the treatment, revitalization has raised considerable interest in recent years. Whereas the procedure is fairly new and recommendations from endodontic societies have been in place only for a few years, the treatment protocol has evolved over the past two decades. Evidence has been created, not only from laboratory and animal work, but also from clinical studies including case reports, cohort studies and eventually prospective randomized controlled clinical trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses. However, the research methods and clinical studies with subsequent reports oftentimes present with methodical limitations, which makes it difficult to objectively assess the value of this treatment modality. Several open questions remain, including the need for a more differentiated indication of revitalization after different traumatic injuries, the long-term prognosis of treated teeth and the true benefits for the patient. Therefore, this review aims to identify and reflect on such limitations, scrutinizing study design, diagnostic tools, procedural details and outcome parameters. A core outcome set is also proposed in this context, which can be considered in future clinical investigations. These considerations may lead to a more detailed and stringent planning and execution of future studies in order to create high-quality evidence for the treatment modality of revitalization and thus provide more robust data, create a larger body of knowledge for clinicians and further specify current recommendations

Inflammatory Response Mechanisms of the Dentine-Pulp Complex and the Periapical Tissues

The macroscopic and microscopic anatomy of the oral cavity is complex and unique in the human body. Soft-tissue structures are in close interaction with mineralized bone, but also dentine, cementum and enamel of our teeth. These are exposed to intense mechanical and chemical stress as well as to dense microbiologic colonization. Teeth are susceptible to damage, most commonly to caries, where microorganisms from the oral cavity degrade the mineralized tissues of enamel and dentine and invade the soft connective tissue at the core, the dental pulp. However, the pulp is well-equipped to sense and fend off bacteria and their products and mounts various and intricate defense mechanisms. The front rank is formed by a layer of odontoblasts, which line the pulp chamber towards the dentine. These highly specialized cells not only form mineralized tissue but exert important functions as barrier cells. They recognize pathogens early in the process, secrete antibacterial compounds and neutralize bacterial toxins, initiate the immune response and alert other key players of the host defense. As bacteria get closer to the pulp, additional cell types of the pulp, including fibroblasts, stem and immune cells, but also vascular and neuronal networks, contribute with a variety of distinct defense mechanisms, and inflammatory response mechanisms are critical for tissue homeostasis. Still, without therapeutic intervention, a deep carious lesion may lead to tissue necrosis, which allows bacteria to populate the root canal system and invade the periradicular bone via the apical foramen at the root tip. The periodontal tissues and alveolar bone react to the insult with an inflammatory response, most commonly by the formation of an apical granuloma. Healing can occur after pathogen removal, which is achieved by disinfection and obturation of the pulp space by root canal treatment. This review highlights the various mechanisms of pathogen recognition and defense of dental pulp cells and periradicular tissues, explains the different cell types involved in the immune response and discusses the mechanisms of healing and repair, pointing out the close links between inflammation and regeneration as well as between inflammation and potential malignant transformation

Endodontic management of traumatized permanent teeth : a comprehensive review

The pulp plays a key role in the treatment of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) and is strongly associated with the outcome, particularly in severe cases. A correct pulp diagnosis is essential as it forms the basis for developing the appropriate management strategy. However, many TDIs are complex, and their treatment requires a profound knowledge of the physiological and pathological responses of the affected tissues. This comprehensive review will look at the dentine-pulp complex and its interaction with the surrounding tissues following TDIs. The literature up to 2020 was reviewed based on several searches on PubMed and the Cochrane Library using relevant terms. In addition to the recently revised guidelines of the International Association of Dental Traumatology, this article aims to provide background information with a focus on endodontic aspects and to gather evidence on which a clinician can make decisions on the choice of the appropriate endodontic approach for traumatized permanent teeth.Peer reviewe

Pathophysiological mechanisms of root resorption after dental trauma: a systematic scoping review

Background The objective of this scoping review was to systematically explore the current knowledge of cellular and molecular processes that drive and control trauma-associated root resorption, to identify research gaps and to provide a basis for improved prevention and therapy. Methods Four major bibliographic databases were searched according to the research question up to February 2021 and supplemented manually. Reports on physiologic, histologic, anatomic and clinical aspects of root resorption following dental trauma were included. Duplicates were removed, the collected material was screened by title/abstract and assessed for eligibility based on the full text. Relevant aspects were extracted, organized and summarized. Results 846 papers were identified as relevant for a qualitative summary. Consideration of pathophysiological mechanisms concerning trauma-related root resorption in the literature is sparse. Whereas some forms of resorption have been explored thoroughly, the etiology of others, particularly invasive cervical resorption, is still under debate, resulting in inadequate diagnostics and heterogeneous clinical recommendations. Effective therapies for progressive replacement resorptions have not been established. Whereas the discovery of the RANKL/RANK/OPG system is essential to our understanding of resorptive processes, many questions regarding the functional regulation of osteo-/odontoclasts remain unanswered. Conclusions This scoping review provides an overview of existing evidence, but also identifies knowledge gaps that need to be addressed by continued laboratory and clinical research

An in vitro coculture approach to study the interplay between dental pulp cells and Streptococcus mutans

Aim To develop a new coculture system that allows exposure of dental pulp cells (DPCs) to Streptococcus mutans and dentine matrix proteins (eDMP) to study cellular interactions in dentine caries. Methodology Dental pulp cells and S. mutans were cocultured with or without eDMP for 72 h. Cell proliferation and viability were assessed by cell counting and MTT assays, while bacterial growth and viability were determined by CFU and LIVE/DEAD staining. Glucose catabolism and lactate excretion were measured photometrically as metabolic indicators. To evaluate the inflammatory response, the release of cytokines and growth factors (IL-6, IL-8, TGF-β1, VEGF) was determined by ELISA. Non-parametric statistical analyses were performed to compare all groups and time points (Mann–Whitney U test or Kruskal–Wallis test; α = .05). Results While eDMP and especially S. mutans reduced the number and viability of DPCs (p ≤ .0462), neither DPCs nor eDMP affected the growth and viability of S. mutans during coculture (p > .0546). The growth of S. mutans followed a common curve, but the death phase was not reached within 72 h. S. mutans consumed medium glucose in only 30 h, whereas in the absence of S. mutans, cells were able to catabolize glucose throughout 72 h, resulting in the corresponding amount of l-lactate. No change in medium pH was observed. S. mutans induced IL-6 production in DPCs (p ≤ .0011), whereas eDMP had no discernible effect (p > .7509). No significant changes in IL-8 were observed (p > .198). TGF-β1, available from eDMP supplementation, was reduced by DPCs over time. VEGF, on the other hand, was increased in all groups during coculture. Conclusions The results show that the coculture of DPCs and S. mutans is possible without functional impairment. The bacterially induced stimulation of proinflammatory and regenerative cytokines provides a basis for future investigations and the elucidation of molecular biological relationships in pulp defence against caries

European Society of Endodontology position statement : endodontic management of traumatized permanent teeth

This position statement represents a consensus of an expert committee convened by the European Society of Endodontology (ESE) on the endodontic management of traumatized permanent teeth. A recent comprehensive review with detailed background information provides the basis for this position statement (Krastl et al. 2021, International Endodontic Journal, ). The statement is based on current scienti?c evidence as well as the expertise of the committee. Complementing the recently revised guidelines of the International Association of Dental Traumatology, this position statement aims to provide clinical guidance for the choice of the appropriate endodontic approach for traumatized permanent teeth. Given the dynamic nature of research in this area, this position statement will be updated at appropriate intervals.Peer reviewe

European Society of Endodontology position statement : endodontic management of traumatized permanent teeth

This position statement represents a consensus of an expert committee convened by the European Society of Endodontology (ESE) on the endodontic management of traumatized permanent teeth. A recent comprehensive review with detailed background information provides the basis for this position statement (Krastl et al. 2021, International Endodontic Journal, ). The statement is based on current scienti?c evidence as well as the expertise of the committee. Complementing the recently revised guidelines of the International Association of Dental Traumatology, this position statement aims to provide clinical guidance for the choice of the appropriate endodontic approach for traumatized permanent teeth. Given the dynamic nature of research in this area, this position statement will be updated at appropriate intervals.Peer reviewe