Guidance for evaluating biomaterials' properties and biological potential for dental pulp tissue engineering and regeneration research.

Background: Dental pulp regeneration is a complex and advancing field that requires biomaterials capable of supporting the pulp's diverse functions, including immune defense, sensory perception, vascularization, and reparative dentinogenesis. Regeneration involves orchestrating the formation of soft connective tissues, neurons, blood vessels, and mineralized structures, necessitating materials with tailored biological and mechanical properties. Numerous biomaterials have entered clinical practice, while others are being developed for tissue engineering applications.

Volumetric Evaluation of Voids and Gaps of Different Calcium-Silicate Based Materials Used in Furcal Perforations: A Micro-CT Study.

This study aimed at evaluating volumetrically gaps and voids of calcium-silicate based materials of different generations and handling properties (BC—Endosequence BC RRM-Fast Set Condensable Putty, MTA—ProRoot MTA, and BIO—Biodentine) in simulated furcal perforations in an ex vivo setup by microcomputed tomography (Micro-CT) analysis. Thirty-six extracted human mandibular molars with sound furcation areas were selected. Standardized perforations were created in the furcation area of the pulp chamber using #4 diamond burs.

A critical analysis of research methods and biological experimental models to study pulp regeneration.

With advances in knowledge and treatment options, pulp regeneration is now a clear objective in clinical dental practice. For this purpose, many methodologies have been developed in attempts to address the putative questions raised both in research and in clinical practice. In the first part of this review, laboratory-based methods will be presented, analysing the advantages, disadvantages, and benefits of cell culture methodologies and ectopic/semiorthotopic animal studies.

Filling ability of three bioceramic root-end filling materials: A micro-computed tomography analysis.

This study aimed at evaluating the volume of gaps and voids, and the total porosity percentage of three calcium-silicate-based materials in mandibular molars apicoectomy by Micro-CT analysis. Thirty-three mesial roots of extracted human mandibular molars were instrumented and obturated. The apical 3mm of each root was resected and prepared.

Application of BMP-2/FGF-2 gene-activated scaffolds for dental pulp capping.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of non-viral gene therapy on human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in an in vitro and an ex vivo model.

Materials And Methods: Nanoplexes comprising polyethyleneimine (PEI) and plasmid DNA (pDNA) encoding for fibroblast growth factor-2 (pFGF-2) and bone morphogenic protein-2 (pBMP-2) were cultured with DPSCs to evaluate cytotoxicity, protein expression, and mineralization activity. Collagen scaffolds loaded with these nanoplexes or mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) were utilized in an ex vivo tooth culture model to assess pulp response, over a period of 14 days.

Incorporation of AuNP-PLL nanocomplexes in DPSC: a new tool for 3D analysis in pulp regeneration.

Objectives: To assess the viability of dental pulp stem cells loaded with gold nanoparticles complexed with poly (L-lysine) (AuNP-PLL) and to track the cellular behavior in a 3D analysis by micro-CT.

Materials And Methods: DPSC (dental pulp stem cells) were cultured and incorporated with AuNP-PLL (0.2 mg/ml) and assessed for cell viability (24 h, 48 h, and 72 h) using MTS assay.

Adaptation of gutta percha to oval canals: a cone beam computed tomographic analysis.

This study evaluated the influence of different instrumentation techniques on the adaptation of gutta percha cones in oval-shaped root canals. A total of 90 human single-rooted teeth were divided into groups according to the instrumentation technique that was used: group M, manual; group OM, hybrid: oscillatory plus manual; group PT, rotary (ProTaper Universal); group OPT, hybrid: oscillatory plus rotary (ProTaper Universal); group MT, rotary (Mtwo); and group OMT, hybrid: oscillatory plus rotary (Mtwo). After a single gutta percha cone was adapted to the canal, cone beam computed tomography was utilized to perform assessments at areas of greater contact of gutta percha to root canal walls.

Tissue engineering: from research to dental clinics.

Unlabelled: Tissue engineering is an interdisciplinary field that combines the principles of engineering, material and biological sciences toward the development of therapeutic strategies and biological substitutes that restore, maintain, replace or improve biological functions. The association of biomaterials, stem cells, growth and differentiation factors has yielded the development of new treatment opportunities in most of the biomedical areas, including Dentistry. The objective of this paper is to present the principles underlying tissue engineering and the current scenario, the challenges and the perspectives of this area in Dentistry.

Dental pulp tissue engineering.

Dental pulp is a highly specialized mesenchymal tissue that has a limited regeneration capacity due to anatomical arrangement and post-mitotic nature of odontoblastic cells. Entire pulp amputation followed by pulp space disinfection and filling with an artificial material cause loss of a significant amount of dentin leaving as life-lasting sequelae a non-vital and weakened tooth. However, regenerative endodontics is an emerging field of modern tissue engineering that has demonstrated promising results using stem cells associated with scaffolds and responsive molecules.

Pulp capping materials exert an effect on the secretion of IL-1β and IL-8 by migrating human neutrophils.

Pulp repair is a complex process whose mechanisms are not yet fully understood. The first immune cells to reach the damaged pulp are neutrophils that play an important role in releasing cytokines and in phagocytosis. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of different pulp-capping materials on the secretion of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) by migrating human neutrophils.

Cytokine production from human primary teeth pulp fibroblasts stimulated by different pulpotomy agents.

Purpose: After exposing the pulp tissue, cytokines are produced that regulate the pulp inflammatory response. The dental literature, however, lacks information on the participation of primary tooth fibroblasts in this process. The purpose of this study was to verify the participation of human primary tooth pulp fibroblasts in the inflammatory process, evaluate the production of interleukin 1 beta (IL-l beta) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) from these cells.

Interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-8 in healthy and inflamed dental pulps.

Unlabelled: After aggression to the dental pulp, some cells produce cytokines in order to start and control the inflammatory process. Among these cytokines, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) emerge as important ones.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the location, distribution and concentration of these cytokines in healthy and inflamed dental pulps.

Ultrasonic versus high-speed cavity preparation: analysis of increases in pulpal temperature and time to complete preparation.

Statement Of Problem: The use of ultrasonic tips has become an alternative for cavity preparation. However, there are concerns about this type of device, particularly with respect to intrapulpal temperatures and cavity preparation time.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze pulpal temperature increases generated by an ultrasonic cavity preparation with chemical vapor deposition (CVD) tips, in comparison to preparation with a high-speed handpiece with a diamond rotary cutting instrument.

Urinary levels of catecholamines among individuals with and without sleep bruxism.

Introduction: Sleep bruxism (SB) is characterized by repetitive and coordinated mandible movements and non-functional teeth contacts during sleep time. Although the etiology of SB is controversial, the literature converges on its multifactorial origin. Occlusal factors, smoking, alcoholism, drug usage, stress, and anxiety have been described as SB trigger factors.

Increases in intrapulpal temperature during polymerization of composite resin.

Statement Of Problem: The polymerization of dental composite resins can generate increases in intrapulpal temperature that may damage the pulp. The development of new polymerization devices such as the argon laser makes the assessment of these temperatures important.

Purpose: This study compared increases in temperature generated by argon laser and halogen light when polymerizing a bonding system and a composite resin, and also sought to determine whether both types of polymerization lights generate temperature increases below the safe limit of 5.

Occlusal changes in complete dentures processed by pack-and-press and injection-pressing techniques.

Ten pairs of stone casts were mounted in an articulator using a standardized maxillomandibular relation, on which trial dentures were constructed. Two groups were established: GI- pack-and-press technique; GII- injection-pressing technique. Intermaxillar contacts were marked and counted, and the contact between incisal pin and incisal table was measured, before and after the processing.

Water flow in high-speed handpieces.

Objectives: This study measured the water flow commonly used in high-speed handpieces to evaluate the water flow's influence on temperature generation. Different flow speeds were evaluated between turbines that had different numbers of cooling apertures.

Method And Materials: Two water samples were collected from each high-speed handpiece at private practices and at the School of Dentistry at São José dos Campos.

Pulpal temperature increases with Er:YAG laser and high-speed handpieces.

Statement Of Problem: During tooth preparation, both high-speed handpieces and lasers generate heat, which, if not controlled, can cause pulpal necrosis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare temperature increases produced by a high-speed dental handpiece with those produced by a relatively new instrument, the Er:YAG (erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet) laser.

Materials And Methods: Thirty bovine mandibular incisors were reduced to an enamel/dentin thickness of 2.

High-speed cavity preparation techniques with different water flows.

Statement Of Problem: Cavity and tooth preparations generate heat because the use of rotary cutting instruments on dental tissues creates friction. Dental pulps cannot survive temperature increases greater than 5.5 degrees C.