A Compilation of Study Models for Dental Pulp Regeneration

Efforts to heal damaged pulp tissue through tissue engineering have produced positive results in pilot trials. However, the differentiation between real regeneration and mere repair is not possible through clinical measures. Therefore, preclinical study models are still of great importance, both to gain insights into treatment outcomes on tissue and cell levels and to develop further concepts for dental pulp regeneration. This review aims at compiling information about different in vitro and in vivo ectopic, semiorthotopic, and orthotopic models. In this context, the differences between monolayer and three-dimensional cell cultures are discussed, a semiorthotopic transplantation model is introduced as an in vivo model for dental pulp regeneration, and finally, different animal models used for in vivo orthotopic investigations are presented.

Automated summary

Efforts in tissue engineering to repair damaged dental pulp tissue have shown positive results, but clinical measures cannot distinguish between true regeneration and repair. Therefore, research models are crucial in understanding treatment outcomes and advancing dental pulp regeneration. This review provides information on various in vitro and in vivo models, discusses the differences between monolayer and three-dimensional cell cultures, presents a new in vivo transplantation model for dental pulp regeneration, and introduces different animal models used for in vivo research.