The initiation and progression of periodontal disease were reported to be the results of complicated interactions between specific subgingival bacteria and host immuno-inflammatory response. As a part of the immune and defense system mechanisms of the host, leptin may have a protective effect on periodontal tissues. We summarize the latest progress in the relationship between leptin and periodontitis.

Periodontal disease is a common and frequently occurring oral disease, with numerous investigations on periodontitis etiology and treatment. The development of periodontal disease is affected by many factors, including local stimulation and systemic risk factors, and dental plaque biofilm is regarded as an initial factor. The molecular mechanisms of how dental plaque biofilm and other risk factors regulate the development of periodontal disease remain unclear. Autophagy is a ubiquitous self-regulating mechanism of eukaryotes and a process of cell self-phagocytosis and digestion. Autophagy is a complex process, involving a variety of cellular and tissue activities, including cellular stress, clearance of endogenous and exogenous cellular components, development, aging and cancer. Recent studies have shown that autophagy is closely related to inflammation. This paper addresses recent research advances in understanding the correlations between periodontal disease and autophagy to provide a reference in the study of new methods to treat periodontal disease from the perspective of autophagy in the future.

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are mesenchymal stem cells derived from dental pulp tissue with self-renewal, high proliferative capacity and multidirectional differentiation potential. Under appropriate induction conditions, DPSCs can be differentiated into various types of cells, such as osteoblasts, odontoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, and neuronal cells. DPSCs have been gradually applied to clinical trials and preclinical studies and are important seed cells in the field of periodontal tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this paper, the factors affecting the biological characteristics of DPSCs are reviewed together with a review of recent literature published worldwide. The results of the literature review show that the biological characteristics of DPSCs can be influenced by many factors, such as tissue source, culture method, environment and induction conditions, which has guiding significance for research and applications of DPSCs.

Living pulp is crucial for the maintenance of tooth homeostasis. An ideal form should consist of regenerative approaches, which necrotic pulp or diseased tissues are replaced with regenerated pulp tissues, and the tooth converts into vital in the end. With the development of tissue engineering, dental pulp regeneration becomes possible. This review will solve and discuss the problems of dental pulp regeneration from stem cells, scaffolds and growth factors.