An ultrastructural investigation of tissue-engineered pulp constructs implanted within endodontically treated teeth.
BACKGROUND
The authors conducted an ultrastructural scanning electron microscopic (SEM) investigation of tissue-engineered pulp constructs implanted within endodontically treated teeth.


METHODS
Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth were seeded on a synthetic open-cell D,D-L,L-polylactic acid scaffold with or without the addition of bone morphogenic protein-2 and transforming growth factor beta1 to create pulp tissue constructs. The pulp constructs were implanted into 105 extracted human premolar teeth with a single root canal that had been cleaned and shaped by using rotary instrumentation in a crown-down manner to ISO size no. 35.


RESULTS
An ultrastructural examination of the SEM micrographs at x2,000 magnification revealed cell adherence within all of the pulp constructs, with little difference between the scaffold types or with the addition of growth factors.


CONCLUSIONS
These results support the proof-of-concept that it is possible to implant tissue-engineered pulp constructs into teeth after cleaning and shaping.


CONCLUSIONS
Future regenerative endodontic treatment may involve the cleaning and shaping of root canals followed by the implantation of vital dental pulp tissue constructs created in the laboratory.
Gotlieb
Eric L
EL
Department of Endodontics, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.
Murray
Peter E
PE
Namerow
Kenneth N
KN
Kuttler
Sergio
S
Garcia-Godoy
Franklin
F
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003804:Dentin / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005994:Glycerophosphates / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000379:methods; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital / Q000628:therapy*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000494:pharmacology
C525718:BMP2 protein, human; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D005994:Glycerophosphates; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide); D003094:Collagen; C031463:beta-glycerophosphoric acid