Effects of Innervation on Angiogenesis and Osteogenesis in Bone and Dental Tissue Engineering.

The repair and regeneration of critical-sized bone defects remain an urgent challenge. Bone tissue engineering represents an exciting solution for regeneration of large bone defects. Recently, the importance of innervation in tissue-engineered bone regeneration has been increasingly recognized. The cross talk between nerve and bone provides important clues for bone repair and regeneration. Furthermore, the promotion of angiogenesis by innervation can accelerate new bone formation. However, the mechanisms involved in the promotion of vascular and bone regeneration by the nervous system have not yet been established. In addition, simultaneous neurogenesis and vascularization in bone tissue engineering have not been fully investigated. This article represents the first review on the effects of innervation in enhancing angiogenesis and osteogenesis in bone and dental tissue engineering. Cutting-edge research on the effects of innervation through biomaterials on bone and dental tissue repairs is reviewed. The effects of various nerve-related factors and cells on bone regeneration are discussed. Finally, novel clinical applications of innervation for bone, dental, and craniofacial tissue regeneration are also examined.

Smart Dental Materials Intelligently Responding to Oral pH to Combat Caries: A Literature Review.

Smart dental materials are designed to intelligently respond to physiological changes and local environmental stimuli to protect the teeth and promote oral health. Dental plaque, or biofilms, can substantially reduce the local pH, causing demineralization that can then progress to tooth caries. Progress has been made recently in developing smart dental materials that possess antibacterial and remineralizing capabilities in response to local oral pH in order to suppress caries, promote mineralization, and protect tooth structures. This article reviews cutting-edge research on smart dental materials, their novel microstructural and chemical designs, physical and biological properties, antibiofilm and remineralizing capabilities, and mechanisms of being smart to respond to pH. In addition, this article discusses exciting and new developments, methods to further improve the smart materials, and potential clinical applications.