bFGF Therapeutic Agent for Dentin-Pulp Complex Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current therapeutic methods for teeth with advanced dental caries that reach the dentin and pulp result in a necrotic layer formation, preventing regeneration of the dentin-pulp complex, as they consider dentin and pulp as separate tissues rather than an integrated unit, leading to poor prognosis.
Innovation Solution
A therapeutic agent containing 0.05 to 0.5% basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or its homolog, combined with hydroxypropylcellulose or crosslinked gelatin gel, is topically administered to induce proliferation and differentiation of pulp cells and odontoblasts, reconstructing the dentin-pulp complex by promoting dentin regeneration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If calcium hydroxide preparation is applied as a pulp-capping agent, then the exposed pulp is protected, but a necrotic layer occurs on the pulp face and the damaged pulp tissue never regenerates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the pulp-capping agent by incorporating bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor) at concentrations of 0.01-10 μg/μL into the calcium hydroxide preparation. This parameter modification transforms the agent from one that causes necrosis to one that promotes tissue regeneration while maintaining protective functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces bFGF as a biological intermediary substance that mediates between the calcium hydroxide preparation and the pulp tissue. This intermediary growth factor facilitates cell proliferation and differentiation, enabling the pulp tissue to regenerate rather than undergo necrosis when exposed to the calcium hydroxide.
2Reliability
If calcium hydroxide preparation is applied as a pulp-capping agent, then the exposed pulp is protected, but only slight formation of tertiary dentin occurs under the necrotic layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the biological activity parameters of the pulp-capping agent by adding bFGF, which significantly enhances the quantity of tertiary dentin formation. The growth factor stimulates odontoblast proliferation and differentiation, resulting in abundant tertiary dentin regeneration rather than only slight formation.
3Device complexity
If dentin and pulp are treated as separate tissues, then conventional therapeutic methods are simpler, but the prognosis is not good at all
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the treatment approach for dentin and pulp into a unified therapeutic agent that addresses both tissues simultaneously. The pulp-capping agent with bFGF works on the exposed pulp while also stimulating dentin regeneration, recognizing the dentin-pulp complex as an integrated functional unit rather than separate tissues.
4Reliability
If basic fibroblast growth factor is used to promote proliferation of pulp cells, then the dentin-pulp complex can be regenerated, but the concentration must be precisely controlled between 0.05 to 0.5%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes precise parameter specifications for bFGF concentration (0.05-0.5% or 0.01-10 μg/μL) to optimize the regeneration effect while avoiding adverse reactions. This parameter control ensures reliable dentin-pulp complex regeneration through careful formulation during manufacturing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The agent effectively regenerates the dentin-pulp complex with physiological morphology and function, forming new dentin and pulp tissue, improving the prognosis for teeth with dental caries by restoring the intrinsic function and structure of the dentin-pulp complex.
Implementation Method 1
Basic fibroblast growth factor has been reported to induce the proliferation of pulp cells
Implementation Method 2
have a regulatory action on the differentiation of pulp cells into odontoblasts in vitro
Implementation Method 3
the proliferation and differentiation induction of odontoblasts are activated, and that dentin is newly produced, whereby the dentin-pulp complex having the intrinsic function is reconstructed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(A)~2(D)
Figure 3(A)~3(C)
AI summary
The present invention provides a therapeutic agent for regenerating a dentin-pulp complex, containing a basic fibroblast growth factor and/or a homolog thereof as an active ingredient. The present invention also provides a pulp-capping agent containing a basic fibroblast growth factor and/or a homolog thereof as an active ingredient.