Three-Dimensional Models of the Dental Pulp: Bridging Fundamental Biology and Regenerative Therapy

The dental pulp is a dynamic connective tissue essential for tooth vitality, sensory function, immune defense, and reparative dentinogenesis. Conventional endodontic procedures, while effective in eradicating infection, often result in a non-functional, devitalized tooth, highlighting the need for biologically based regenerative approaches. The emergence of three-dimensional (3D) culture systems has transformed pulp biology and endodontic research by providing physiologically relevant microenvironments that better reproduce the dentino-pulp interface, vascular and neural networks, and immune interactions. This review synthesizes current advances in 3D dental pulp modeling, from scaffold-based and hydrogel systems to spheroids, organoids, bioprinted constructs, and microfluidic "tooth-on-a-chip" platforms. Each system's composition, biological relevance, and translational potential are critically examined with respect to odontogenic differentiation, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and inflammatory response. Applications in disease modeling, biomaterial screening, and regenerative endodontics are highlighted, showing how these models bridge fundamental biology and therapeutic innovation. Finally, we discuss key challenges including vascularization, innervation, standardization, and clinical translation, and propose integrative strategies combining bioprinting, stem-cell engineering, and organ-on-chip technologies to achieve functional pulp regeneration. Overall, 3D pulp models represent a paradigm shift from reductionist cultures to bioinstructive, patient-relevant platforms that accelerate the development of next-generation endodontic therapies.