The Current State and Future of Oral Health: A Position Paper Exploring the Role of Regenerative Dentistry

Review The Current State and Future of Oral Health: A Position Paper Exploring the Role of Regenerative Dentistry John A. Jansen Department of Dentistry-Regenerative Biomaterials, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands; [email protected] Received: 12 February 2025; Revised: 17 March 2025; Accepted: 20 March 2025; Published: 25 March 2025 Abstract: Regenerative dentistry combines dental science, biology, and technology to develop new therapeutic approaches for treating oral and orofacial problems. It focuses on restoring or regeneration lost or damaged tissues using tissue engineering technology. Current methodologies and methods used in regenerative dentistry are: stem cells, growth factors/biomolecules, tissue engineering and bioactive materials, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), tooth regeneration, and tooth-on-a-chip and organoids. Despite its potential, regenerative dentistry has not met the initial expectations due to unrealistic goals, regulatory challenges, and ethical concerns. Therefore, the field needs a breakthrough discovery with significant clinical impact. It is recommended that future efforts should focus on products with clear clinical need and improving existing materials. In conclusion, regenerative dentistry has great potential, but the research lacks a clear vision and focus. Integration of artificial intelligence (AI) can help guide the field into a new era.