Remineralization, Regeneration, and Repair of Natural Tooth Structure: Influences on the Future of Restorative Dentistry Practice

Abstract

Currently, the principal strategy for the treatment of carious defects involves cavity preparations followed by the restoration of natural tooth structure with a synthetic material of inferior biomechanical and esthetic qualities and with questionable long-term clinical reliability of the interfacial bonds. Consequently, prevention and minimally invasive dentistry are considered basic approaches for the preservation of sound tooth structure. Moreover, conventional periodontal therapies do not always ensure predictable outcomes or completely restore the integrity of the periodontal ligament complex that has been lost due to periodontitis. Much effort and comprehensive research have been undertaken to mimic the natural development and biomineralization of teeth to regenerate and repair natural hard dental tissues and restore the integrity of the periodontium. Regeneration of the dentin–pulp tissue has faced several challenges, starting with the basic concerns of clinical applicability. Recent technologies and multidisciplinary approaches in tissue engineering and nanotechnology, as well as the use of modern strategies for stem cell recruitment, synthesis of effective biodegradable scaffolds, molecular signaling, gene therapy, and 3D bioprinting, have resulted in impressive outcomes that may revolutionize the practice of restorative dentistry. This Review covers the current approaches and technologies for remineralization, regeneration, and repair of natural tooth structure.

Tooth Formation: Are the Hardest Tissues of Human Body Hard to Regenerate?

“…Thus, in the case of scaffold materials for dental tissue engineering, the used material systems differ greatly depending on whether enamel, endodontic, or periodontic tissue is intended to be regenerated. Categories for biomaterials used in tooth regeneration are natural organic, synthetic organic materials, or inorganic materials [126]. Natural organic materials involve peptides such as collagen or gelatin and polysaccharides such as chitosan, alginate, or agarose.…”

Engineering of a Biomimetic Interface between a Native Dental Tissue and Restorative Composite and Its Study Using Synchrotron FTIR Microscopic Mapping

“…The interface quality and affinity of the hybrid layer for the restorative material, which is determined by complex molecular interactions between the bond and the natural dental hard tissue, influence the longevity of the dental restoration [ 11 , 12 ]. Existing defects in the dentine/dental material interface prevent sustainable enamel/dentine restoration [ 4 , 13 , 14 ]. Restorative composites have disparate functional properties (e.g., mechanical strength, elasticity) from natural dental hard tissue, which, coupled with poor affinity for and integration into the dental tissue, can result in microleakage [ 15 ], secondary caries [ 1 ] and failure of the resin-dentine interface [ 4 , 13 ].…”

Studying Effects of Calcium Oxide Nanoparticles on Dentinogenesis in Male Wistar Rats

“…Calcium is the main component of the body's bones and teeth and plays an effective role in the functioning of different living cells such as osteoblast, ameloblast, and odontoblast, which form the calcified tissue of the bone, enamel, and dentin, respectively [ 2 , 3 ]. Research was carried out to simulate the growth and mineralization of natural teeth with an aim of regenerating and repairing calcified tissues of the natural teeth [ 4 ].…”