title: An ultrastructural investigation of tissue-engineered pulp constructs implanted within endodontically treated teeth.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Eric L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Gotlieb
authors.forename: Peter E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: Kenneth N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Namerow
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuttler
authors.forename: Franklin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Garcia-Godoy
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: 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