Bioactive Molecule Delivery Systems for Dentin-pulp Tissue Engineering.
BACKGROUND
Regenerative endodontic procedures use bioactive molecules (BMs), which are active signaling molecules that initiate and maintain cell responses and interactions. When applied in a bolus form, they may undergo rapid diffusion and denaturation resulting in failure to induce the desired effects on target cells.


METHODS
The controlled release of BMs from a biomaterial carrier is expected to enhance and accelerate functional tissue engineering during regenerative endodontic procedures. This narrative review presents a comprehensive review of different polymeric BM release strategies with relevance to dentin-pulp engineering.


RESULTS
Carrier systems designed to allow the preprogrammed release of BMs in a spatial- and temporal-controlled manner would aid in mimicking the natural wound healing process while overcoming some of the challenges faced in clinical translation of regenerative endodontic procedures.


CONCLUSIONS
Spatial- and temporal-controlled BM release systems have become an exciting option in dentin-pulp tissue engineering; nonetheless, further validation of this concept and knowledge is required for their potential clinical translation.
Discipline of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Suja
S
Shrestha
Discipline of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: anil.kishen@dentistry.utoronto.ca.
Anil
A
Kishen
D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000502:physiology*; D003804:Dentin / Q000502:physiology*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D012038:Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
D006133:Growth Substances; D003094:Collagen
Bioactive molecule carriers; bioactive molecules; dentin-pulp engineering; odontogenic differentiation; stem cells; temporal-controlled release