A bioactive composite of freeze-dried stem cells, porous microcarriers, and fibrinogen-thrombin gel for dental pulp tissue engineering.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to develop a novel biocompatible composite for the regeneration of damaged dental pulp tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To create the composite, porous microcarriers were loaded with freeze-dried bone marrow stem cells and embedded in a fibrinogen-thrombin gel. The regenerative potential of the composite was evaluated in both ectopic and orthotopic animal models of dental pulp injury. RESULTS: The composite stimulated the migration and proliferation of host pulp cells via growth factors and cytokines secreted by freeze-dried bone marrow stem cells. Furthermore, the microcarrier-based scaffold created a three-dimensional microenvironment that preserved the paracrine activity of stem cells, promoting the effective regeneration of damaged or partially amputated dental pulp. CONCLUSION: This bioactive composite demonstrates significant potential for regenerative endodontics, facilitating the restoration of dental pulp. Further studies are needed to elucidate the specific role of paracrine factors from freeze-dried stem cells in improving pulp tissue regeneration.