Applications and prospects of 3D printing technology in pulp regeneration

In recent years, pulp regeneration has become a research hotspot in the field of stomatology. 3D printing can realize precise control of structure and shape of scaffolds, which provide basis for seed cell adhesion and growth factor release. The 3D printing "pulp complexes" constructed by 3D printing scaffolds for tissue engineering provides a new direction for pulp regeneration research. This paper reviews the applications of 3D printing technology in pulp regeneration. The results of literature review showed that the scaffold materials, seed cells and growth factors in the 3D printing "pulp complexes" all play an important role in the pulp regeneration research. Among them, the scaffold materials act as carriers to load seed cells and growth factors and provide a suitable microenvironment for them. The common seed cells such as dental pulp stem cells, stem cells from apical papilla and stem cells from the human pulp of exfoliated deciduous teeth can provide the cellular basis for pulp regeneration. Moreover, the introduction of growth factors can further support the differentiation of pulp tissue and the reconstruction of pulp vessels and promote pulp regeneration. At present, the 3D printing "pulp complexes" in the study of dental pulp regeneration has made some progress and can induce the formation of pulp-like tissues in the laboratory. However, preparing 3D-printing "pulp complex" with good biological activity, which integrates biomimetic blood vessels and nerves to supply oxygen and nutrients to the cells in the root canal, remains a huge challenge and still needs further exploration and research.