Minimal intervention dentistry: part 8. Biotherapies for the dental pulp

Key Points Provides an overview of important developments in stem cell research and biotherapies. Presents innovative therapeutic approaches for the future of dentistry. The development of new therapies, the biotherapies, can now be envisioned in dentistry thanks to the important development of research in the stem cell and biomaterial fields. Indeed, the recent discovery of stem cells in different tissues of the body, and in particular in the dental pulp, should allow the development of new therapeutic approaches for pulpo-dentinal lesions. In case of moderate pulp injury, the stimulation by biomolecules of pulp stem cells located in the remaining pulp is the approach to be considered. In case of more severe lesions requiring a total removal of pulp tissues, a cell therapy could be considered. The objective of this article is to present these innovative therapeutic approaches for the future of dentistry.