title: Revascularization and tissue regeneration of an empty root canal space is enhanced by a direct blood supply and stem cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Regenerative endodontics is an innovative treatment concept aiming to regenerate pulp, dentin and root structures. In the diseased or necrotic tooth, the limitation in vascular supply renders successful tissue regeneration/generation in a whole tooth challenging. The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of vascularized tissue to develop within a pulpless tooth using tissue engineering techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  A pulpless tooth chamber, filled with collagen I gel containing isolated rat dental pulp cells (DPC) and angiogenic growth factors, was placed into a hole created in the femoral cortex or into its own tooth socket, respectively. The gross, histological and biochemical characteristics of the de novo tissue were evaluated at 4 and 8 weeks post-transplantation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tooth revascularization and tissue generation was observed only in the femur group, confirming the important role of vascular supply in tissue regeneration. The addition of cells and growth factors significantly promoted connective tissue production in the tooth chamber.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Successful revascularization and tissue regeneration in this model demonstrate the importance of a direct vascular supply and the advantages of a stem cell approach.
authors.affiliation: O'Brien Institute of Microsurgery, The University of Melbourne, St Vincent’s Hospital Campus, Vic., Australia. tanida_srisuwan@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Tanida
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Srisuwan
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Tilkorn
authors.forename: Sammy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Benna
authors.forename: Keren
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abberton
authors.forename: Harold H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Messer
authors.forename: Erik W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000378:metabolism*; D006652:Histological Techniques; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital
chemical_list: D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D003094:Collagen