Bioengineered Scaffolds and Biomimetic Strategies for Dental Pulp-Dentin Complex Regeneration

Loss of pulp vitality caused by dental caries, trauma, or iatrogenic injury remains a major clinical challenge in endodontics. Conventional root canal treatment and apexification can control infection and maintain teeth in function, but they do not restore the vital pulp–dentin interface or the biological functions of native pulp tissue. Recent advances in tissue engineering, biomaterials science, and regenerative endodontics have generated promising approaches, including electrospun PLGA membranes, hydrogels, injectable and 3D-printed scaffolds, bioactive molecule delivery systems, and stem-cell-based or cell-free therapies. However, predictable regeneration remains limited by inconsistent vascularisation and innervation, variable odontogenic differentiation, infection-control challenges, and limited clinical translation. This Research Topic will bring together emerging biomimetic and scaffold-based strategies to support evidence-based regeneration of the dental pulp–dentin complex.The main problem addressed by this Research Topic is the limited predictability of current dental pulp–dentin regeneration strategies. Although conventional endodontic treatment can control infection and maintain teeth in function, it does not restore the biological functions of the native pulp–dentin complex. In parallel, many regenerative approaches remain fragmented across biomaterials science, stem cell biology, and clinical endodontics, with ongoing challenges related to vascularisation, innervation, odontogenic differentiation, infection control, and clinical translation.This Research Topic aims to bring together high-quality research on bioengineered scaffolds, biomimetic biomaterials, bioactive delivery systems, stem-cell-based and cell-free therapies, and translational models for regenerative endodontics. By consolidating these advances in one focused collection, the Topic will help identify effective material designs, clarify key biological mechanisms, highlight barriers to clinical application, and support the development of predictable, evidence-based strategies for regeneration of the dental pulp–dentin complex.This Research Topic welcomes contributions focused on bioengineered scaffolds and biomimetic strategies for regeneration of the dental pulp–dentin complex. Specific themes include electrospun membranes, hydrogels, injectable and 3D-printed scaffolds, nanofibrous matrices, bioactive molecules, controlled-release delivery systems, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory biomaterials, stem-cell-based and cell-free therapies, angiogenesis, innervation, odontogenic differentiation, and translational models in regenerative endodontics. We also encourage studies addressing infection control, scaffold biofunctionalisation, pulp-like tissue organisation, standardised outcome assessment, regulatory considerations, and barriers to clinical implementation.The Research Topic will consider original research articles, systematic and narrative reviews, mini-reviews, perspectives, opinion articles, methods and protocols, brief research reports, and case reports with clear translational relevance to dental pulp regeneration or regenerative endodontic therapy. Topic editors: Saaid Al Shehadat, Madhura Shantanu Deshpande, Ensanya Ali Abou Neel Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83758/bioengineered-scaffolds-and-biomimetic-strategies-for-dental-pulp-dentin-complex-regeneration