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The 15th Anniversary of JFB—Endodontic Biomaterials
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The 15th Anniversary of JFB—Endodontic Biomaterials

A special issue of Journal of Functional Biomaterials (ISSN 2079-4983). This special issue belongs to the section "Dental Biomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2026) | Viewed by 9781

Special Issue Editor

Dr. João Miguel Marques dos Santos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Endodontics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: pulp biology and regeneration; biocompatibility; bioactivity; bioceramic materials; endodontics; chlorhexidine; animal models
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The year 2025 marks the 15th anniversary of the Journal of Functional Biomaterials, a peer-reviewed, open access journal containing research relevant to the field of materials for biomedical use. So far, JFB has published more than 1700 papers from more than 9000 authors. We appreciate each author, reviewer, and academic editor whose support has brought us to where we are today.

To celebrate this significant milestone, we are publishing a Special Issue entitled “The 15th Anniversary of JFB—Endodontic Biomaterials”. Endodontics is currently going through one of the most exciting periods of knowledge expansion within the history of the discipline, especially in terms of the future clinical translation of scientific attainments, largely driven by new insights in pulp biology and biomaterial development.

One of the focuses of biomaterials science is to engineer substances to be used in therapeutic procedures, able to interact with the components of living systems and promote specific treatment goals in order to improve the expected clinical outcomes. The immense advances verified over the last two decades with the introduction of breakthrough materials for root canal filling, vital pulp therapy, and regenerative endodontic procedures represent a leap forward in our capacity to simplify current complex therapeutic approaches in the endodontic field. Hopefully this will allow for more conservative treatment options to manage pulpal and periapical pathology and preserve the natural dentition of our patients.

The aim of this Special Issue is to present the various aspects of biomaterials development and testing, from physicochemical evaluations to biological in vitro and in vivo assessments of performance, before their introduction to clinical use.

Dr. João Miguel Marques dos Santos
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Functional Biomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biocompatibility
  • in vitro testing
  • in vivo testing
  • bioceramics
  • regenerative endodontics
  • vital pulp therapy
  • root canal filling

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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15 pages, 1112 KB  
Article
In Vitro Biocompatibility of Calcium Silicate-Based Materials for Retrograde Endodontic Treatment Under Different Setting Conditions
by Kremena Markova, Neshka Manchorova-Veleva, Veselina Todorova, Lyubomir Vangelov and Desislava Petkova
J. Funct. Biomater. 2026, 17(3), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17030124 - 4 Mar 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 800
Abstract
Background: Calcium silicate-based materials are widely used in retrograde endodontic treatment due to their bioactivity and favorable biological properties. The environmental conditions during setting and the time-dependent release of soluble components may influence cellular responses; however, these factors remain insufficiently investigated. Aim: This [...] Read more.
Background: Calcium silicate-based materials are widely used in retrograde endodontic treatment due to their bioactivity and favorable biological properties. The environmental conditions during setting and the time-dependent release of soluble components may influence cellular responses; however, these factors remain insufficiently investigated. Aim: This in vitro study evaluated the cellular response to three calcium silicate-based materials—MTA+, Biodentine, and NeoPUTTY—after setting under different environmental conditions. Materials and Methods: Cylindrical specimens were allowed to set under three conditions: dry environment, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and human blood. Eluates obtained after 1, 3, and 5 days were applied to human BJ fibroblasts. Cell viability, based on metabolic activity measured using the AlamarBlue assay, was evaluated at 48 and 96 h. Biocompatibility was inferred from cell viability, reflecting eluate-mediated effects rather than direct material–cell contact. Results: Cell viability was influenced by both the setting environment and eluate maturation time. PBS-set materials showed variable cellular responses, with high viability at early time points but marked decreases at 96 h for some MTA+ and NeoPUTTY groups. Biodentine demonstrated the most stable cellular response across all conditions. Materials set in blood produced cellular responses comparable to those observed for PBS and dry conditions, with no statistically significant overall reduction in cell viability. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this in vitro eluate-based model, blood exposure during setting had a minimal influence on the cell viability to the tested materials. Among the evaluated materials, Biodentine exhibited the most stable biological profile. These findings reflect time-dependent, eluate-mediated cellular effects and should be interpreted with caution when extrapolating to clinical conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The 15th Anniversary of JFB—Endodontic Biomaterials)
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17 pages, 1803 KB  
Article
In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of a New Experimental Polydimethylsiloxane-Based Endodontic Sealer
by Fabiola Cardoso Maldonado, Cesar Gaitan Fonseca, Carlos Bermudez Jimenez, Luis Alejandro Aguilera Galaviz, Margarita L. Martinez-Fierro, Lorena Troncoso Vazquez and Martha Eugenia Reyes Ortiz
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(11), 402; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16110402 - 28 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1715
Abstract
Successful root canal treatment depends on adequate obturation with biocompatible and non-cytotoxic materials. This study evaluated the in vitro and in vivo biological characteristics of an experimental polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based endodontic sealer and compared it with Silco® and Sealapex® cement. Human dermal [...] Read more.
Successful root canal treatment depends on adequate obturation with biocompatible and non-cytotoxic materials. This study evaluated the in vitro and in vivo biological characteristics of an experimental polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based endodontic sealer and compared it with Silco® and Sealapex® cement. Human dermal fibroblasts (HDFa) were exposed to polydimethylsiloxane-based sealer eluates, Silco® and Sealapex®, at concentrations of 1:200, 1:100, 1:50, 1:1, and undiluted eluate (1×) for 24, 48, and 72 h, and they were subcutaneously implanted in Wistar rats for 15, 30, and 45 days. Cell viability exceeded 90% at 24–48 h and remained at 85% at the highest concentration after 72 h. Sealapex® showed approximately 85% viability at 24 h, over 70% at 48 h, and remained below the cytotoxicity threshold at 72 h. Silco® showed a marked reduction, with values approaching 50% at 24 h. At 48 and 73 h, Silco® showed a significant reduction in cell viability. Histological analysis revealed only mild acute and chronic inflammation, with no statistically significant differences over time. These results indicate that the experimental sealant demonstrates favorable biological properties suitable for further clinical evaluation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The 15th Anniversary of JFB—Endodontic Biomaterials)
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20 pages, 741 KB  
Systematic Review
Histological Tissue Response to Calcium Silicate-Based Cements Assessed in Human Tooth Culture Models: A Systematic Review
by Alberto Cabrera-Fernández, Hebertt Gonzaga dos Santos Chaves, Aránzazu Díaz-Cuenca, Juan J. Segura-Egea, Jenifer Martín-González, João Peça, Diana B. Sequeira and João Miguel Marques dos Santos
J. Funct. Biomater. 2026, 17(2), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17020078 - 6 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1561
Abstract
Ex vivo human tooth culture models preserve the native dentine–pulp complex and offer a translational platform to study pulp-capping biomaterials. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the evidence on histological pulp tissue responses to calcium silicate-based cement (CSCs) used for direct pulp capping [...] Read more.
Ex vivo human tooth culture models preserve the native dentine–pulp complex and offer a translational platform to study pulp-capping biomaterials. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the evidence on histological pulp tissue responses to calcium silicate-based cement (CSCs) used for direct pulp capping in human tooth culture models. The review followed PRISMA 2020 guidance. Eligible studies were ex vivo whole human tooth culture models with direct pulp exposure treated with commercial or experimental CSCs and reporting histological outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using the QUIN tool. Thirteen studies were included. Most used immature human third molars (from 15- to 19-year-old patients) and culture periods up to 28 days, with a minority extending observation to 45–90 days. Across hydraulic CSCs, Biodentine was the most frequently evaluated material, followed by ProRoot MTA and several experimental hydraulic and resin-modified formulations. Overall, hydraulic CSCs were consistently associated with biocompatible pulp responses and a pro-mineralization pattern characterized by periexposure mineralized foci/osteodentin-like tissue; where assessed, immunohistochemistry supported odontoblast-like differentiation. In contrast, the resin-modified CSC TheraCal LC and other experimental resin-modified CSCs showed more heterogeneous findings, with reports of absent, delayed, or less prominent mineralization compared with reference hydraulic CSCs. In intact human tooth culture models, hydraulic CSCs show reproducible biocompatibility and early mineralization features consistent with reparative dentinogenesis, whereas resin-modified CSCs demonstrate more variable histological performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The 15th Anniversary of JFB—Endodontic Biomaterials)
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36 pages, 775 KB  
Systematic Review
Efficacy of Endodontic Files in Root Canal Retreatment: A Systematic Review of In Vitro Studies
by Anna Soler-Doria, José Luis Sanz, Marcello Maddalone and Leopoldo Forner
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(8), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16080293 - 14 Aug 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5157
Abstract
The success rate of root canal treatment is high, but it can fail. In these cases, orthograde root canal retreatment is often the treatment of choice, for which numerous biomaterials are available on the market, including endodontic files. This systematic review aimed to [...] Read more.
The success rate of root canal treatment is high, but it can fail. In these cases, orthograde root canal retreatment is often the treatment of choice, for which numerous biomaterials are available on the market, including endodontic files. This systematic review aimed to study the endodontic files available on the market and establish their efficacy in root canal retreatment. An electronic search of six different databases was performed, and in vitro experimental studies that studied root canal cleaning, debris extrusion, retreatment time, or dentinal damage produced with any of the comparison methods were selected. The quality of the studies was assessed with the QUIN scale. In total, 78 studies were included for the analysis, of which 9 had a high risk of bias, 53 had a moderate risk, and 16 had a low risk. The methods used to evaluate the efficacy of endodontic files in root canal retreatment are heterogeneous. Manual files produce more apical extrusion than rotary files. PTUR files are the most studied endodontic files. It is the file system that leaves the least residual filling material in the canal, takes the least time during retreatment, and removes the greatest amount of dentine. However, no file system achieved the complete removal of the root canal filling material. No consistent pattern emerged across studies when comparing rotary files with continuous and reciprocating rotation in terms of the removal of the filling material, the time required for de-obturation, dentine damage produced, or apical extrusion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The 15th Anniversary of JFB—Endodontic Biomaterials)
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