REGENERATIVE ENDODONTICS

Regenerative endodontics has been defined as biologically based procedures designed to replace damaged structures, including dentin and root structures, as well as cells of the pulp-dentin complex. Presently, two concepts exist in regenerative endodontics to treat non-vital infected teeth - one is the active pursuit of pulp-dentine regeneration to implant or regrow pulp (tissue engineering technology), and the other in which new living tissue is expected to form from the tissue present in the teeth itself, allowing continued root development(revascularisation). Regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) have evolved in the past decade, being incorporated into endodontic practice and becoming a viable treatment alternative for immature teeth. The authors have summarized the status of regenerative endodontics on the basis of the available published studies and provide insight into the different levels of clinical outcomes expected from these procedures.