New treatment modality for pulpititis and apical periodontitis: pathway of regenerative endodontics

Tissue engineering has been applied to induce pulp-dentin complex regeneration, and proposed the concept of regenerative endodontics. As a new subject in stomatology, regenerative endodontics promotes root development and pulp regeneration with the combination of dental stem cells, biomaterial scaffolds and growth factors. Clinically, pulp regenerative technique has been used to treat necrosis and periapical periodontitis of immature permanent teeth. Numerous case reports and studies have proved the possibility of pulp regeneration, and regenerative endodontics will become a potential new treatment alternative of dental pulp diseases for dental clinician. In the present paper, we will summarize and analyze the current process and prospective of regenerative endodontics.