Academic literature on the topic 'Dental pulp Growth factors Dental Pulp Capping'

Conventionally the cases accepted for direct pulp capping are the inadvertently exposed normal pulps and carious exposures in teeth without apical radiolucency. The recent advances in dental materials, namely the bioceramics, allowed successful vital therapy by direct pulp capping even in young permanent teeth with irreversible pulpitis. The choice of pulp capping material is pivotal in pulp vital therapy of carious exposures as tricalcium silicates shift the balance inflammation-healing toward the regeneration of damaged dentin-pulp complex. Anticipating a reliable outcome, the high anti-inflammatory potential and modulating capacity of cytokines and growth factors proved by bioactive endodontic cements in direct pulp capping should be associated with new molecular diagnostic tests and cautious clinical evaluation. However, it seems that a paradigm shift is expected in the decision of direct pulp capping.

Vital pulp therapy is an important endodontic treatment. Strategies using growth factors and biological molecules are effective in developing pulp capping materials based on wound healing by the dentin-pulp complex. Our group developed biodegradable viscoelastic polymer materials for tissue-engineered medical devices. The polymer contents help overcome the poor fracture toughness of hydroxyapatite (HAp)-facilitated osteogenic differentiation of pulp cells. However, the composition of this novel polymer remained unclear. This study evaluated a novel polymer composite, P(CL-co-DLLA) and HAp, as a direct pulp capping carrier for biological molecules. The biocompatibility of the novel polymer composite was evaluated by determining the cytotoxicity and proliferation of human dental stem cells in vitro. The novel polymer composite with BMP-2, which reportedly induced tertiary dentin, was tested as a direct pulp capping material in a rat model. Cytotoxicity and proliferation assays revealed that the biocompatibility of the novel polymer composite was similar to that of the control. The novel polymer composite with BMP-2-induced tertiary dentin, similar to hydraulic calcium-silicate cement, in the direct pulp capping model. The BMP-2 composite upregulated wound healing-related gene expression compared to the novel polymer composite alone. Therefore, we suggest that novel polymer composites could be effective carriers for pulp capping.

Background/Aim. There are very few data about the effects of endogenous growth factors in vital pulp therapy, and still they are often controversial. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of platelet rich plasma (PRP) in conjugation with hydroxyapatite (HAP), as pulp capping materials, to root and periodontium formation. Methods. Eight young monkeys (Cercopithecus Aethiops) with permanent dentition and incomplete root formation were involved in this study. After pulpotomy, the pulp lesion was capped with calcium hydroxide (control), hydroxyapatite (experimental group I) or hydroxyapatite in conjugation with PRP (experimental group II). Six months later, the animals were sacrificed, the tissue was removed en block, and prepared for the histological analysis in a routine way. Results. The results of the histological analysis revealed that healing process was characterised by dentin bridge formation, maintained morphological and functional integrity of dental pulp and complete formation of dental root and surrounding periodontium. The inflammatory reaction was scored as mild to moderate, in almost all the samples in all groups, suggesting the biocompatibility of the used materials. Conclusion. Materials used in this study are convenient as capping agents, contributing maintaining the integrity of the pulp tissue and facilitating root and periodontium formation. According to histological data it could be suggested that hydroxyapatite in conjugation with endogenous growth factors, represents superior alternative to other materials used in this study.

Background: Caries in the dental pulp result in inflammation and damage to the pulp tissue. During inflammation of the pulp, various inflammatory mediators and growth factors are released, including IL-8, IL-10, TLR-2, VEGF and TGF-β through the NF-kB pathway. In the present study, therapy for pulpal caries was performed through pulp capping by giving a combination of propolis and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). This treatment was expected to stimulate the formation of reparative dentin as an anti-inflammatory material to prevent pulp tissue damage. Methods: 28 Wistar rats were divided into four groups and treated with Ca(OH)2 with or without the addition of propolis for either 7 or 14 days. Immunohistochemical examination was used to determine the expression of IL-8, IL-10, TLR-2, VEGF, TGF-β in the four treatment groups. Results: The group treated with a combination of propolis and Ca(OH)2 for 7 days showed that the expression of IL-10, IL-8, TLR-2, VEGF, TGF-β increased significantly compared to the treatment group treated with only Ca(OH)2. The expression of IL-10, TLR-2, TGF-β, VEGF increased in the treatment group treated with propolis and Ca(OH)2 for 14 days, while the expression of IL-8 in the decreased significantly. Conclusions: Administration of a combination of propolis and Ca(OH)2 has efficacy in the pulp capping treatment process because it has anti-bacterial and immunomodulatory properties. The results show that it is able to stimulate the process of pulp tissue repair through increased expression of IL-10, TGF-β, VEGF, TLR -2 and decreased expression of IL-8.

All over the world a large number of people suffer from tooth diseases like dental caries, tooth abscess, and plaques. Tooth loss or damage, which occurs frequently in our society are generally repaired by applying several conventional methods, such as root-canal treatment, direct pulp capping and dental implants. These methods are quite painful, create damage to the surrounding tooth tissues and also may at times have adverse side-effects. The limitations of the conventional methods can be overcome by applying the concept of tooth tissue engineering. Tooth tissue engineering is the application of biosciences and engineering to regenerate a biofunctional tooth, which can be used to replace the missing tooth or repair the damaged tooth. Tissue engineering involves three key elements - cell, scaffold and growth factors, which interact with each other to regenerate a specific tissue. The success of tissue engineering depends on the proper selection of these three key elements and understanding the interactions among them. To bring us close to the realization of a tissue-engineered tooth, immense progress is going on in understanding how tooth is first developed, and there is a good advancement in tooth regeneration. In this review, “tooth tissue engineering” will be discussed, along with the recent advancements and challenges in bring a biofunctional tooth from laboratory out into clinical use.

Introduction/Objective. We aimed to investigate the effects of diabetes mellitus (DM) on rat dental pulp repair by measuring time-dependent changes in expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP 2) following direct pulp capping. Methods. Two groups, each of 20 Wistar rats, received either streptozotocin (for DM induction) or the same volume of sterile saline. One week later, the pulp of maxillary and mandibular right incisors in diabetic and nondiabetic groups were exposed and capped with calcium hydroxide in order to provoke reparative response. The levels of VEGF and BMP 2 were determined in the pulp tissue lysates one and seven days after the pulp capping, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results. Diabetic state per se increased VEGF level, with a peak at first day after the pulp capping (19.3 ? 0.9 pg/mg, p < 0.001), but did not affect BMP 2 levels. Significant increase of BMP 2 expression was noticed on seventh day in capped pulp, but only in diabetic rat (16.7 ? 1.0 pg/mg, p = 0.001). Positive correlation between VEGF and BMP 2 was found on seventh day following capping, only in diabetic pulp (r = 0.905, p = 0.003). Conclusion. Diabetes-induced increase in VEGF expression reflects changes in the inflammatory phase of pulp repair in DM. Increase in BMP 2 expression suggest that stimulating effect of calcium hydroxide appears seven days after diabetic pulp capping.

Abstract Anatomically, dental pulp is connective tissue and specific microcirculatory system with significant reparatory abilities intending to preserve pulp vitality. Various therapeutic approaches in the treatment of affected pulp may be compromised by various factors leading to treatment failure. Due to microcirculatory system disorders, treatment of affected dental pulp in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) is additional challenge. The function and levels of growth factors could be altered in various diabetic tissues including dental pulp. Among them are growth factors important for reparative response of the pulp. There are experimental evidences that DM impede dental pulp reparation. Therefore, clinical procedures aiming to preserve vitality of diabetic dental pulp should be applied with caution. The aim of this paper is to present basic factors and parameters that affect reparative response of dental pulp in patients with DM.

Melatonin plays an essential role in the regulation of bone growth. The actions that melatonin exerts on odontoblasts may be similar to its action on osteoblasts. This research aimed to evaluate the pulp response to melatonin used for direct pulp capping to evaluate the antioxidant effect of melatonin administered orally and its influence on dental pulp. Direct pulp capping was performed on the upper molars of Sprague Dawley rats using melatonin or Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA). The study groups were: MTA; Melatonin; MTA + Melatonin administered orally; and Melatonin + Melatonin administered orally. In the latter two groups, the animals drank water dosed with melatonin ad libitum (10 mg/100 mL). After 30 days, the animals were sacrificed, and 5 ml of blood, the kidneys, and the liver were extracted in order to evaluate oxidative stress using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances testing (TBARS). Fragments of the maxilla containing the study molars were prepared for histological evaluation. The degree of pulp inflammation and pulp necrosis, the presence of reparative dentin and dentin bridging the pulp chamber, the presence and regularity of the odontoblastic layer, and the presence of pulp fibrosis were evaluated. No significant differences were found between the four study groups for any of the studied histological variables. The oral administration of melatonin did not modify the local effects of MTA or melatonin on dental pulp, or reduce basal-level oxidative stress. The effect of melatonin on pulp is similar to that of MTA and may be used as an agent for direct pulp capping.

Restorative and endodontic procedures have been recently developed in an attempt to preserve the vitality of dental pulp after exposure to external stimuli, such as caries infection or traumatic injury. When damage to dental pulp is reversible, pulp wound healing can proceed, whereas irreversible damage induces pathological changes in dental pulp, eventually requiring its removal. Nonvital teeth lose their defensive abilities and become severely damaged, resulting in extraction. Development of regeneration therapy for the dentin-pulp complex is important to overcome limitations with presently available therapies. Three strategies to regenerate the dentin-pulp complex have been proposed; regeneration of the entire tooth, local regeneration of the dentin-pulp complex from amputated dental pulp, and regeneration of dental pulp from apical dental pulp or periapical tissues. In this paper, we focus on the local regeneration of the dentin-pulp complex by application of exogenous growth factors and scaffolds to amputated dental pulp.

For tissue engineering strategies, the choice of an appropriate scaffold is the first and certainly a crucial step. A vast variety of biomaterials is available: natural or synthetic polymers, extracellular matrix, self-assembling systems, hydrogels, or bioceramics. Each material offers a unique chemistry, composition and structure, degradation profile, and possibility for modification. The role of the scaffold has changed from passive carrier toward a bioactive matrix, which can induce a desired cellular behavior. Tailor-made materials for specific applications can be created. Recent approaches to generate dental pulp rely on established materials, such as collagen, polyester, chitosan, or hydroxyapatite. Results after transplantation show soft connective tissue formation and newly generated dentin. For dentin-pulp-complex engineering, aspects including vascularization, cell-matrix interactions, growth-factor incorporation, matrix degradation, mineralization, and contamination control should be considered. Self-assembling peptide hydrogels are an example of a smart material that can be modified to create customized matrices. Rational design of the peptide sequence allows for control of material stiffness, induction of mineral nucleation, or introduction of antibacterial activity. Cellular responses can be evoked by the incorporation of cell adhesion motifs, enzyme-cleavable sites, and suitable growth factors. The combination of inductive scaffold materials with stem cells might optimize the approaches for dentin-pulp complex regeneration.

A major challenge facing the tissue engineering discipline is cartilage tissue repair and engineering, because of the highly specialized structure and limited repair capacity that cartilage possesses. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) were identified about a decade ago as a potential candidate for cell based therapy and tissue engineering applications. The present study aimed to utilize gene therapy with isolated DPSCs to induce chondrogenic transgene expression and chondrogenic lineage differentiation, with the ultimate goal of engineering cartilage tissue-like constructs. We isolated DPSCs from human teeth extracted for orthodontic treatment. We further enriched the isolated population using immunomagnetic bead selection, which increased stem cell markers: Stro-1 and CD146, compared to unselected population. The DPSCs showed the ability to differentiate into the chondrogenic lineage when induced with recombinant hTGFβ-3 and when transduced with hTGFβ-3 transgene. We successfully constructed the recombinant adeno-associated viral vector encoding the human TGFβ-3, and determined the best multiplicity of infection for DPSCs. The transduced DPSCs highly expressed hTGFβ-3 for up to 60 days. Expression of chondrogenic markers; Collagen IIa1, Sox9, and aggrecan was verified by immunohistochemistry and mRNA. We successfully fabricated an electrospun nano-fiber scaffold upon which morphology, proliferation and viability of the DPSCs were examined. DPSCs attached and proliferated on nano-fiber scaffolds demonstrating better viability compared to micro-fiber scaffolds. Transduced cells expressed hTGFβ-3 protein up to 48 days. Cells seeded on nanofiber scaffolds showed higher expression levels compared to micro-fiber scaffolds or culture plate. Scaffolds seeded with DPSCs were implanted in nude mice. Immunohistochemistry for TGFβ-3 DPSCs constructs (n=5/group) showed cartilage-like matrix formation with glucoseaminoglycans as shown by Alcian blue. Immunostaining showed positivity for Collagen IIa1, Sox9 and aggrecan. Semi-thin sections of the transduced DPSCs constructs examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed chondrocytic cellular and intra-cellular features, as well as extracellular matrix formation (n=2/group). In vivo constructs with the TGFβ-3 DPSCs showed higher collagen type II and Sox9 mRNA expression relative to non-transduced DPSCs constructs (n=5/group). Western blot analysis confirmed this expression pattern on the protein level (n=3/group). Engineered constructs mechanical properties were examined and compared to patellar bovine cartilage to assess functionality (n=5/group). TGFβ-3 transduced DPSCs constructs showed a higher equilibrium elastic modulus compared to nontransduced constructs. Micro-fiber scaffolds constructs showed a higher elastic modulus (0.11 MPa, 18% of bovine cartilage), compared to nano-fiber constructs modulus (0.032 MPa, 6% of bovine cartilage). Nano-fiber based constructs showed a similar Poisson‘s ration to bovine cartilage, while that of micro-fiber scaffolds was lower. As an alternative gene delivery method, electroporation parameters for DPSCs transfection were optimized, and compared to commonly used chemical transfection methods. TGFβ-3 transfected DPSCs showed a significantly higher relative TGFβ-3 mRNA and protein expression compared to non transfected control and to eGFP transfected DPSCs. Transfected DPSCs showed increased relative expression of chondrogenic markers; Collagen II, Sox9 and aggrecan, compared to non transfected DPSCs. Successful chondrogenic differentiation of DPSCs gene therapy with TGFβ-3 transgene, and seeding them on PLLA/PGA scaffolds makes it a potential candidate for cartilage tissue engineering and cell based therapy.
published_or_final_version
Dentistry
Doctoral
Doctor of Philosophy

Le coiffage pulpaire direct, dans des situations pathologiques critiques où la vitalité de la dent est menacée, vise à stimuler le potentiel de cicatrisation de la pulpe et induire une régénération dentinaire. Afin d'optimiser cette thérapeutique, le Laboratoire IMEB-ERT 30 a développé en partenariat avec la société SEPTODONT un nouveau matériau, le Biodentine™. Ce ciment, composé essentiellement de silicate tricalcique, possède des qualités physiques permettant son utilisation comme substitut dentinaire. Le premier objectif de notre travail a été d'évaluer les propriétés biologiques du Biodentine™ et ses interactions avec les cellules cibles en culture. La bioactivité du nouveau ciment a ensuite été étudiée à l'aide du modèle de culture de dents entières humaines ex vivo. Ce modèle expérimental original a été mis au point dans notre laboratoire et permet d'étudier les phases précoces de la régénération dentinaire lors du coiffage direct. Grâce à ce modèle, nous avons démontré l'activation, la prolifération et la migration de cellules progénitrices pulpaires périvasculaires en réponse à une lésion cavitaire profonde. Le coiffage direct avec les ciments de silicates tricalciques a induit la formation de foyers minéralisés à proximité de la lésion. La caractérisation moléculaire de ces foyers a montré qu'il s'agit d'une forme de dentine réparatrice synthétisée par des cellules odontoblast-like. Le deuxième objectif de notre travail a été d'étudier l'effet du nouveau biomatériau sur la sécrétion de certains facteurs de croissances, impliqués dans les phases précoces de la cicatrisation pulpaire, et de le comparer à celui d'autres matériaux de coiffage
The objective of direct pulp capping is to stimulate the pulp healing potential and to induce dentin regeneration. This is of prime importance in critical pathologic situations compromising the tooth vitality. To improve the outcome of this treatment, the IMEB-ERT30 Laboratory, in collaboration with the SEPTODONT Company, has developed a new restorative material called Biodentine™. This cement, essentially composed of tricalcium silicates, has the required physical properties to be used as a dentin substitute. The first aim of this work was to evaluate the biological properties of Biodentine™ and its interactions with the target cells in cell culture. Then, the bioactivity of the new cement was studied using an entire human tooth culture model ex vivo. This original experimental model, developed in our Laboratory, is suitable in studying the early steps of dentin regeneration after direct pulp capping. With this model, we demonstrated the activation, proliferation, and migration of perivascular pulpal progenitor cells in response to pulp injury. The direct pulp capping with tricalcium silicate cements induced mineral foci formation in the vicinity of the pulp lesion. Molecular characterization of these foci confirmed it was of a reparative dentin type produced by odontoblast-like cells. The second objective of our work was to study the effect of the new cement on the secretion of some growth factors involved in the early steps of pulp wound healing, and compare it to that of other pulp capping materials. The results demonstrated an up-regulation of b-FGF, VEGF and PDGF-AB secretion in response to the target cells injuries, suggesting a stimulation of angiogenesis

A regeneração óssea é um processo complexo que exige a atuação coordenada de vários sinalizadores bioquímicos para promover as diversas fases da angiogênese e osteogênese. Diversas pesquisas têm focado no entendimento da biologia molecular com o objetivo de promover e acelerar a regeneração do tecido ósseo. Este estudo avaliou o potencial osteogênico e angiogênico da polpa dentária (PD) fresca e o efeito das proteínas derivadas da matriz do esmalte (EMD) neste tecido, obtido imediatamente após a exodontia, sem isolamento e cultura destas células. Trinta e seis amostras foram utilizadas, cada uma constistuída de um pool de tecidos da polpa removidos de 2 dentes de um mesmo paciente. No grupo controle, as amostras foram inseridas em criotubo e mantidas por 20 minutos em temperatura ambiente. No grupo teste, foi realizada aplicação de EMD (Emdogain®) na proporção de 1:1 e também mantidas por 20 minutos em temperatura ambiente. Análise de expressão gênica de Runx2, Osterix, ALP, BSP, OPN, VEGF-A, FGF-2 foi realizada através da Reação da Transcriptase Reversa em Cadeia da Polimerase (qRT-PCR). As análises imunológicas foram realizadas pelo imunoensaio Multiplex Cytokine Profiling (Luminex) para níveis de OCN, OPN, EGF, Angiopoietina-2, BMP-9, FGF-1, FGF-2, VEGF-A, VEGFC, VEGF-D. Os dados obtidos foram analisados estatisticamente. Os genes BSP e OPN apresentaram níveis significativamente maiores (p < 0,05) no Grupo Controle. Em relação à Osterix e FGF-2, houve maior expressão (p < 0.05) no Grupo Teste. Nos genes Runx-2, ALP e VEGF-A, não foi possível observar diferenças significativas entre os grupos. Na análise imunológica, OCN e OPN apresentaram níveis significativamente maiores (p < 0,05) no Grupo Controle. Já os níveis de Angiopoietin-2, BMP-9, FGF-1, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGFA e FGF-2 tiveram maior expressão (p < 0,05) no Grupo Teste. Para os níveis de EGF, não foi observada diferença estatística (p < 0,05) entre os grupos. De acordo com os achados deste estudo, a aplicação de EMD no tecido pulpar em modelo ex vivo, aumentou a expressão gênica e proteica relacionada ao processo angiogênico, podendo, portanto, favorecer a regeneração óssea. No entanto, ensaios clínicos são necessários para confirmar os achados deste estudo e para que esta proposta terapêutica seja validada.
Bone regeneration is a complex process that requires coordinated biochemical signaling to promote the various stages of angiogenesis and osteogenesis. In order to promote and accelerate bone regeneration, many studies have focused on molecular biology knowledge of this process. This in vitro study investigated the angiogenic and osteogenic potential of fresh dental pulp tissue with or without enamel matrix derivative (EMD) stimulation through gene and protein expression. Thirty-six samples were obtained, each one composed by a pool of pulp tissue removed from 2 teeth of the same patient. In the control group, immediately after tooth extraction, dental pulp tissue was collected and inserted in cryotube and left 20 minutes at room temperature. In the test group, EMD was applied and left 20 minutes at room temperature. Gene expression of Runx2, Osterix, ALP, BSP, OPN, VEGF-A, FGF-2 was assessed by qRT-PCR. Immunological analysis of OCN, OPN, EGF, Angiopoietin-2, BMP-9, FGF-1, FGF-2, VEGF-A, VEGF-C and VEGF-D levels was performed by Multiplex Cytokine Profiling (Luminex). Test Group presented significantly lower mean levels of BSP and OPN than Control Group (p<0,05). Osterix and FGF-2 mean levels were higher (p<0,05) in Test Group than Control Group. Immunological analyisis showed that OCN and OPN mean levels were significant lower in Test Group (p<0,05). However, Test Group presented significantly higher mean levels of ANGIOPOIETINA-2 BMP-9, FGF-1, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGF-A (p<0,05). EMD application in dental pulp tissue in ex vivo model increased gene and protein expression related to angiogenesis and can actuate in bone regeneration process. However, randomized clinical trials are required to confirm our findings and to validate this therapy approach.

A fototerapia com laser em baixa intensidade (FTLBI) é capaz de aumentar o metabolismo celular, o que poderia influenciar na diferenciação ósseo/odontogênica das células-tronco da polpa dentária humada (hDPSCs). O PDGF e o BMP-2 são fatores de crescimento envolvidos na dentinogênese e na reparação tecidual. O PDGF tem papel importante durante o desenvolvimento embrionário, na proliferação e migração celular e na angiogênese, enquanto o BMP-2 está fortemente associado à diferenciação celular em tecidos mineralizados, como o osso e a dentina. Sendo assim, o objetivo do estudo foi analisar os efeitos da FTLBI e dos fatores de crescimento (PDGF-BB ou BMP-2), isolados ou em associação, na diferenciação ósseo/odontogênica das hDPSCs. Para o estudo hDPSCs foram cultivadas em meio regular (G1) e irradiadas (G2), meio mineralizante (G3) e irradiadas (G4), meio mineralizante contendo PDGF-BB (G5) e irradiadas (G6), meio mineralizante contendo BMP-2 (G7) e irradiadas (G8). Para os grupos irradiados, a FTLBI foi realizada no modo pontual e em contato, com um laser de diodo semi-condutor, com área de feixe de 0,028cm2 e comprimento de onda 660nm (InGaAlP-vermelho), utilizando-se os seguintes parâmetros: potência de 20mW, densidade de energia de 5J/cm2, tempo de irradiação de 7 segundos por ponto e 0,14J de energia por ponto. A expressão dos genes relacionados à diferenciação ósseo/odontogênica (DSPP, DMP-1 e OCN) através do PCR quantitativo em tempo real (qRT-PCR), a atividade da fosfatase alcalina e os depósitos de cálcio foram analisados em 3, 7 e 14 dias. Os dados obtidos foram comparados pelo teste ANOVA complementado pelo teste de Tukey (p<0,05). As culturas tratadas com meio mineralizante contendo BMP-2 e irradiadas (G8) foram as que mostraram os maiores índices de diferenciação ósseo/odontogênica nos testes realizados. As expressões de DSPP, OCN e DMP-1, ao menos em 14 dias, foram significantemente maiores no G8 que nos demais grupos experimentais, exceto os grupos G3 e G7. Estes grupos apresentaram expressões de DSPP e OCN semelhantes às do G8 em 14 dias. A maior atividade de ALP foi observada no G8 em 3 dias e a menor no mesmo grupo aos 14 dias. A maior quantidade de depósitos de cálcio também foi encontrada no G8 em 14 dias. A associação de FTLBI e BMP-2 se mostrou capaz de induzir a diferenciação ósseo/odontogênica em células-tronco de polpa dentária humana de forma mais marcante que as demais terapias isoladas ou associadas estudadas. Portanto, o uso de uma terapia associando FTLBI e BMP-2 poderia ser de relevância para o restabelecimento da fisiologia pulpar quando aplicada em casos de exposição deste tecido, uma vez que poderia favorecer a diferenciação das células indiferenciadas da polpa dentária.
Laser phototherapy (LPT) is able to increase cellular metabolism, which in turn could influence the odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). PDGF and BMP-2 are growth factors involved in dentinogenesis and tissue repair. PDGF plays a role in embryonic development, cell proliferation, cell migration, and angiogenesis, whereas BMP-2 is strongly associated with cell differentiation in mineralized tissues such as bone and dentin. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of LPT and the growth factors PDGF-BB and BMP-2 combined or not on the odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs. These cells were grown in regular medium (G1) and irradiated (G2), mineralizing medium (G3) and irradiated (G4), mineralizing medium containing PDGF-BB (G5) and irradiated (G6), mineralizing medium containing BMP-2 (G7) and irradiated (G8). For irradiated groups, LPT was performed in punctual and contact mode with a semiconductor diode laser, with a beam spot area of 0.028 cm2 and wavelength of 660nm (InGaAlP-visible red), using the following parameters: power of 20mW, energy density of 5J/cm2 and irradiation time of 7 seconds per point (0,14 J per point). Differentiation was assessed by the following analysis: expression of genes related to odontogenic differentiation (DSPP, DMP-1 and OCN) using quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR); alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposition using alizarin red staining in 3, 7 and 14 days. Data were compared by ANOVA and Tukey´s test (p<0.05). The cultures treated with mineralizing medium containing BMP-2 and irradiated (G8) showed the highest rate of odontogenic differentiation. The expressions of DSPP, DMP-1 and OCN genes, at least in 14 days, were significantly higher in G8 compared to all other groups, except for the groups G3 and G7. These groups showed similar expressions of DSPP and OCN than G8 in 14 days. G8 showed the highest ALP activity in 3 days and the lowest in 14 days compared to all other groups. The largest amount of calcium deposits was observed in G8 in 14 days. The most striking feature on induction of odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs was observed when LPT was applied in association with BMP-2. Therefore, the use of a combined LPT and BMP-2 therapy could be of relevance for the re-establishment of pulp physiology when applied in cases of dental pulp exposure by promoting the differentiation of hDPSCs.