Can Damaged Teeth Heal Themselves? New Research Explores the Future of Saving Natural Teeth

15 papers in the Journal of Endodontics examine stem cells, regenerative therapies, inflammation and emerging approaches that could transform dental care

CHICAGO, Nov. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- What if a damaged tooth could do more than survive? What if, with the help of advances in science, it could actually heal from within?

That possibility is among the exciting areas of research explored in a collection of 15 scientific papers appearing in the November 2026 issue of the Journal of Endodontics, the official scientific journal of the American Association of Endodontists (AAE).

Originating from the 2025 Pulp Biology and Regeneration Group (PBRG) Symposium, Trends and Innovations in Pulp Preservation and Regeneration, the papers examine how researchers are working to better understand, preserve and potentially regenerate the living tissue inside teeth. The findings offer a glimpse into a future where biological therapies, advanced diagnostic tools and regenerative medicine could help patients retain more of their natural teeth.

At the center of this research is dental pulp, the soft tissue inside a tooth containing nerves, blood vessels and specialized cells that help maintain tooth health. When that tissue becomes inflamed or infected, treatment is often necessary to relieve pain and prevent further damage. But scientists are increasingly exploring ways to harness the pulp's own healing abilities and, in some cases, potentially restore tissue that has been lost.

"These studies reflect an exciting evolution in how we think about treating damaged teeth," said AAE President W. Craig Noblett, D.D.S., M.S. "Endodontics has always been about saving natural teeth. As researchers learn more about the biology of the tissues inside them, we're discovering new possibilities for preserving their vitality, encouraging healing and developing more personalized approaches to patient care."

From Stem Cells to Living Tissue: Could Teeth One Day Regenerate From Within?

Among the most intriguing areas of investigation is the use of dental pulp stem cells, which have the potential to develop into different types of specialized cells.

One study examines how proteins and other biological signals can encourage dental pulp stem cells to develop characteristics of the cells that line blood vessels. This is a critical step toward the possibility of regenerating living pulp tissue, which requires a blood supply to survive.

Another paper explores how scientists are developing specially engineered environments that could support the growth of blood vessels, mineralized tissue and other structures essential to tooth function. Researchers are also investigating how oxygen levels inside teeth influence stem cell behavior and tissue repair.

While these approaches remain largely experimental, they represent important steps toward the long-term goal of regenerating functional dental pulp rather than simply repairing or replacing damaged tissue.

A New Way to Fight Tooth Inflammation

Inflammation is a major factor in tooth pain and pulp damage. Several studies explore a promising concept: Instead of simply combating inflammation, could treatments help the body's own immune system resolve it and encourage healing?

In one study, researchers developed microscopic droplets carrying lipoxin A4, a naturally occurring molecule involved in resolving inflammation. In laboratory and animal models, the treatment reduced inflammatory signals and encouraged immune cells to adopt a more healing-oriented response.

Another team investigated an injectable gel containing omega-3 fatty acids, substances more commonly associated with nutrition and heart health. The experimental material showed promising anti-inflammatory effects and compatibility with living cells, suggesting potential applications in treatments designed to preserve dental pulp.

These findings are preliminary and do not mean that taking omega-3 supplements or other anti-inflammatory products can treat an infected tooth. Rather, they point toward the possibility of developing sophisticated new dental materials that actively support the healing process.

Could a Simple Test Help Dentists Determine Whether a Tooth Can Be Saved?

Another major theme is the need for more precise ways to diagnose what is happening inside a painful tooth.

Today, dentists and endodontists rely on symptoms, clinical examinations, imaging and tests of how teeth respond to stimuli such as cold. But these methods cannot always reveal the true extent of inflammation inside the pulp.

Researchers are exploring whether biological markers associated with inflammation could eventually help clinicians assess pulp health more accurately, potentially through tests performed during a dental appointment.

Such advances could help determine when less invasive treatments might preserve living pulp tissue and when more extensive treatment is necessary.

The collection also highlights growing evidence supporting vital pulp therapy, including procedures that remove damaged or inflamed portions of pulp while preserving healthy tissue. In appropriately selected cases, these approaches may offer outcomes comparable to root canal treatment while maintaining some or all of the tooth's living pulp.

Understanding Tooth Pain at the Cellular Level

For anyone who has experienced a severe toothache, another study offers an intriguing look at why dental pain can be so intense.

Researchers developed a laboratory model of nerve-like cells derived from human dental pulp stem cells to investigate how inflammation activates pain-signaling pathways.

Their findings identified a specific receptor involved in transmitting inflammatory pain signals and demonstrated that blocking that receptor reduced certain cellular responses associated with pain.

Although this research has not yet produced a new treatment for patients, it could help scientists investigate more targeted approaches to managing dental pain in the future.

Why an Infected Tooth May Matter Beyond the Mouth

The collection also examines the relationship between oral infections and overall health.

One review focuses on apical periodontitis, an inflammatory condition that develops around the tip of a tooth's root, often as a result of infection within the root canal system.

Drawing on longitudinal research, the paper describes associations between this condition and markers of systemic inflammation, as well as indicators related to metabolic and cardiovascular health.

Notably, the research reviewed found that successful endodontic treatment was followed by reductions in certain inflammatory markers and improvements in some metabolic indicators.

Although these findings do not establish that dental infections directly cause cardiovascular disease or other systemic conditions, they reinforce the importance of recognizing and appropriately treating oral infections.

The Future of Tooth Preservation

Taken together, the 15 papers reflect a growing shift toward understanding dental disease at the biological and cellular levels, with the goal of making treatment more precise, less invasive and increasingly supportive of the body's natural healing processes.

The collection also explores advances in analyzing the microorganisms involved in dental infections, developing next-generation dental materials and tailoring treatment to individual patients.

Since its establishment, the PBRG, under the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR), has helped advance research through periodic scientific meetings that bring researchers and clinicians together to explore emerging challenges and opportunities in the field.

The PBRG held its Satellite Symposium in Madrid, Spain, from June 29 to July 1, 2025. More than 20 internationally recognized scientists and clinicians in pulp biology and regeneration delivered presentations.

"What's especially encouraging is how these different areas of research are beginning to come together," Noblett said. "Better diagnostics, a deeper understanding of inflammation, and advances in regenerative biology all have the potential to expand the ways we can help patients keep their natural teeth. There's still important work to be done, but the direction of this research is tremendously promising."

While many of the regenerative approaches discussed are not yet available in routine clinical practice, the research underscores the importance of continued scientific investment and collaboration.

For patients, the message is an encouraging one: Modern endodontic care already offers effective ways to save teeth that might otherwise be lost, and ongoing research could expand those possibilities even further.

The 15 papers from the Pulp Biology and Regeneration Group Symposium 2025: Trends and Innovations in Pulp Preservation and Regeneration appear in the November 2026 issue of the Journal of Endodontics, available at www.jendodon.com.

To learn more about saving natural teeth or find an endodontist, visit www.findmyendodontist.com.

About the American Association of Endodontists

The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) is the professional organization representing endodontists, dental specialists who diagnose tooth pain, perform root canal treatment and specialize in saving natural teeth. The AAE is dedicated to advancing the art and science of endodontics and promoting the highest standards of patient care. Learn more at www.aae.org.

CONTACT:

Kim FitzSimmons, MBA, CAE, AAiP
[email protected], 312-872-0458

Elisabeth Lisican
[email protected], 312-872-0460

SOURCE American Association of Endodontists (AAE)