Regenerative Endodontic Procedures With Minced Pulp Tissue Graft in Mature Permanent Teeth: A Clinical Study

Abstract

Introduction: Regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) using cell-based approaches have emerged as novel treatment modalities. This clinical study aimed to present the outcomes and explore factors influencing REPs with minced pulp tissue (MP) grafts in a mature tooth.

Methods: Healthy patients requiring non-surgical root canal treatment were enrolled. MP obtained from the third molar was grafted into the instrumented, disinfected, and blood-filled root canal. After treatment, patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically.

Results: Follow-ups for 6 cases (male patients aged 20-27) ranged from 19 to 42 months. Radiographically, all the teeth showed favorable outcomes. Among the 6 teeth, 2 showed neither intracanal calcification nor recovery in sensibility tests, and one had no intracanal calcification with an inapplicable sensibility test evaluation. In 2 teeth, intracanal calcification was observed in the apical third; however, there was no recovery in the sensibility tests. One tooth exhibited intracanal calcification in the apical third and showed recovery in the sensibility tests. Considering these outcomes and clinical variables, the size of the apical foramen and the composition of the transplanted pulp tissue were identified as tentative influencing factors.

Conclusions: This exploratory clinical study on simplified cell-based REPs using autologous MP grafts for pulp/dentin regeneration in adult teeth not only enhances our understanding of REPs but also suggests its potential as an alternative treatment option to conventional endodontic treatment.