Regeneration potential of the young permanent tooth: what does the future hold?

Abstract

During the last 10-15 years, there has been a tremendous increase in our clinical "tools" (ie, materials, instruments, and medications) and knowledge from the trauma and tissue engineering fields that can be applied to regeneration of a functional pulp-dentin complex. In addition, recent case reports indicate that biologically based endodontic therapies can result in continued root development, increased dentinal wall thickness, and apical closure when treating cases of necrotic immature permanent teeth. The purpose of this review was to summarize these findings and illustrate a path forward for the development and evaluation of regenerative endodontic therapies.