title: The future role of a molecular approach to pulp-dentinal regeneration.
abstract: The ultimate goal of a regenerative pulp treatment strategy is to reconstitute normal tissue continuum at the pulp-dentin border, regulating tissue-specific processes of tertiary dentinogenesis. Experimental investigations in mature teeth have shown that a network of extracellular matrix molecules and growth factors signal tertiary dentinogenesis. Application of dentin matrix components or growth factors in deep dentinal cavities stimulated up-regulation of biosynthetic activity of primary odontoblasts (reactionary dentin formation). Pulp-capping studies with a broad spectrum of biological agents, including growth factors and extracellular matrix molecules, showed formation of osteodentin and/or tertiary dentinogenesis (reparative dentin formation). Promising biologically active substances should be subjected to careful evaluation in well-designed preclinical investigations as well as in long-term clinical trials before their introduction in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontology, School of Dentistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. dtziaf@dent.auth.gr
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tziafas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003785:Dental Pulp Capping / Q000379:methods*; D003804:Dentin / Q000502:physiology; D003809:Dentin, Secondary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D009804:Odontoblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012038:Regeneration; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
chemical_list: D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1