title: Regenerative endodontics--Creating new horizons.
abstract: Trauma to the dental pulp, physical or microbiologic, can lead to inflammation of the pulp followed by necrosis. The current treatment modality for such cases is non-surgical root canal treatment. The damaged tissue is extirpated and the root canal system prepared. It is then obturated with an inert material such a gutta percha. In spite of advances in techniques and materials, 10%-15% of the cases may end in failure of treatment. Regenerative endodontics combines principles of endodontics, cell biology, and tissue engineering to provide an ideal treatment for inflamed and necrotic pulp. It utilizes mesenchymal stem cells, growth factors, and organ tissue culture to provide treatment. Potential treatment modalities include induction of blood clot for pulp revascularization, scaffold aided regeneration, and pulp implantation. Although in its infancy, successful treatment of damaged pulp tissue has been performed using principles of regenerative endodontics. This field is dynamic and exciting with the ability to shape the future of endodontics. This article highlights the fundamental concepts, protocol for treatment, and possible avenues for research in regenerative endodontics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Army College of Dental Sciences, Secunderabad, India.
authors.forename: Harnoor
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dhillon
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Army College of Dental Sciences, Secunderabad, India.
authors.forename: Mamta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaushik
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Army College of Dental Sciences, Secunderabad, India.
authors.forename: Roshni
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000293:injuries*; D003788:Dental Pulp Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D004708:Endodontics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
keywords: dentin formation; endodontics; pulp regeneration; revascularization; tissue engineering