Mechanisms and Control of Caries-Induced Pulp Inflammation and Repair

Dental caries remains a major oral health problem with an increased prevalence in older and disadvantaged social groups. The carious process may rapidly reach the dentin, resulting in an intensifying pulpal inflammation, followed by pain and discomfort, necessitating an endodontic intervention. Despite limitations in diagnosing the inflammatory condition of the pulp, clinical management developments related to the carious lesion and associated pulp inflammation have emerged. There is, however, a need for improved understanding of the caries process, as well as the mechanisms of pulpal inflammation and repair, to better inform clinical practitioners.

This Research Topic welcomes clinical research investigating the diagnosis of pulpitis, as well as minimally invasive strategies to address deep caries and pulpitis. Basic scientific research is also desired when addressing the mechanisms of inflammatory and repair response of the dental pulp. Thus, this topic will integrate knowledge from basic science, translational and clinical research related, but not limited to the following topics:

1- Decipher the mechanisms of pulp inflammation and repair at the cellular and molecular levels
2- Explore the pathophysiology of the carious and pulpitis disease process to present a novel
approaches to pulpal diagnosis and treatment
3- Develop an understanding of conservative biologically based therapies to maintain pulp
vitality

These areas can be explored by basic research, analyzing microbiological and immunological mechanisms, such as signaling pathways mediating dental pulp cell inflammation and repair. Translational research aimed at novel tools for pulpal disease diagnosis, biologically based third-generation pulp capping biomaterials, as well as clinical research addressing caries management approaches, vital pulp therapies, and treatment outcomes, are also highly desired.