Wnt signaling in dental pulp homeostasis and dentin regeneration.

OBJECTIVE:Wnt signaling is crucial in the physiological and pathological processes of dental pulp tissues. The present study described the effects of Wnt signaling in dental pulp homeostasis and regeneration. DESIGN:Publications in Pubmed and Scopus database were searched, and a narrative review was performed. The roles of Wnt signaling in dental pulp tissue were reviewed and discussed. RESULT:In vitro and in vivo evidence have confirmed the involvement of Wnt signaling in tooth development, dental pulp homeostasis, and physiological processes in dental pulp responses. Manipulating Wnt signaling components generates beneficial effects on pulp healing, dentin repair, and epigenetic regulation related to stemness maintenance, implying that Wnt signaling is a potential therapeutic target for future clinical dental applications. Additionally, an overview of the epigenetic control of dental pulp stem cells by Wnt signaling is provided. CONCLUSION:This review provides basic knowledge on Wnt signaling and outlines its functions in dental pulp tissues, focusing on their potential as therapeutic treatments by targeting the Wnt signaling pathway.