A tooth is a compound organ, which is composed of calcified tissues of
enamel, dentin and cementum, and a soft connective tissue of dental pulp in which
blood vessels and nerves are protected. Periodontal ligaments anchor teeth into the
alveolar bone in the jaw to ensure the proper function of teeth. In humans, tooth loss
can not only lead to physical and mental suffering, but also affect the aesthetics, which
compromise an individual’s quality of life and self-esteem. With the development of
tissue engineering, regenerating a whole tooth for clinical tooth replacement is now
considered to be an acceptable scientific objective. This subject has a number of
challenges for investigators over complicated disciplines including biology, dental
medicine and biomaterial science. This chapter will summarize the current knowledge
related to tooth regeneration, especially focus on dentin regeneration, periodontal
ligament regeneration, and dental pulp regeneration.
Keywords: Growth factors, Regulation mechanism, Scaffolds, Stem cells, Tooth
regeneration.
