A method of stimulating dentin generation includes applying a polymerizable composition to exposed dental pulp in a dentate mammal or a dentate non-mammalian vertebrate; wherein the polymerizable composition comprises a hydroxy-substituted azobenzene group having the structure

##STR00001##

wherein x, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, and R.sup.10 are defined herein; and polymerizing the polymerizable composition; wherein the amount of the hydroxy-substituted azobenzene group applied to the exposed dental pulp is effective to promote dentin generation.

A set of a first and a second preparation are intended to be mixed before or during an endodontic treatment to form an endodontic irrigation solution. The first preparation includes an oxidizing agent. The second preparation includes antibacterial nanoparticles treated to slow their oxidation by the oxidizing agent. The antibacterial nanoparticles are, for example, encapsulated in shells in a hybrid core-shell structure. In one variation, the antibacterial nanoparticles are made from an alloy of at least two elements, one of the elements being more resistant to oxidation than the other.

A pharmaceutical formulation for topical dental administration or medical (e.g., implant) treatment, including effective amounts of: at least one antimicrobial compound; at least one peroxide source compound; and at least one gel agent. Also disclosed are methods of oral anatomy treatment. The pharmaceutical formulation and treatment methods provide the patient with oral anatomy benefits including, for example, decreased or arrested gum recession; decreased or arrested bone recession; decreased or arrested bone mass loss; decreased or eliminated pain; decreased or eliminated bleeding; decreased or eliminated swelling; enhanced regeneration of bone; enhanced soft tissue repair; or a combination thereof.

A pharmaceutical formulation for topical dental administration or medical (e.g., implant) treatment, including effective amounts of: at least one antimicrobial compound; at least one peroxide source compound; and at least one gel agent. Also disclosed are methods of oral anatomy treatment. The pharmaceutical formulation and treatment methods provide the patient with oral anatomy benefits including, for example, decreased or arrested gum recession; decreased or arrested bone recession; decreased or arrested bone mass loss; decreased or eliminated pain; decreased or eliminated bleeding; decreased or eliminated swelling; enhanced regeneration of bone; enhanced soft tissue repair; or a combination thereof.

Methods of regenerating vital tooth tissue in situ after endodontic therapy include introducing a hydrogel scaffold into a root canal of a tooth in a patient after native pulp has been removed from the root canal. The hydrogel scaffold may comprise a sponge scaffold, and can be acellular. The hydrogel scaffold can contain chemotactic, angiogenic, neurogenic, and/or immunomodulatory biofactors that cause infiltration of endogenous cells from the patient into the root canal. Alternatively, such biofactors/drugs can be administered to the patient separately from the hydrogel scaffold. The hydrogel scaffold can fill the periapical space of an abscessed root.

A matrix of an anhydrous root canal disinfectant with high fluidity, the disinfectant and application thereof. The matrix comprises 0.5-5.0% polyvinylpyrrolidone, 0.1-5.0% nonionic or cationic surfactant, and 32.0-85.0% polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of 200-600 based on the total mass percentage of the anhydrous root canal disinfectant.

A matrix of an anhydrous root canal disinfectant with high fluidity, the disinfectant and application thereof. The matrix comprises 0.5-5.0% polyvinylpyrrolidone, 0.1-5.0% nonionic or cationic surfactant, and 32.0-85.0% polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of 200-600 based on the total mass percentage of the anhydrous root canal disinfectant.

Systems and methods for eradicating biofilms by killing bacteria within a biofilm, degrading the matrix and removing biofilm debris are disclosed herein. The disclosed subject matter provides techniques for administering a suspension of H.sub.2O.sub.2 and iron oxide nanoparticles to substantially eradicate bacteria within a biofilm matrix and degrade the bio film matrix, actuating the iron oxide nanoparticles for assembly into biohybrid robots suitable for removal of biofilm debris, and moving the biohybrid robots to remove the bio film debris from accessible or enclosed surfaces. In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter can include embedding iron oxide nanoparticles in a hydrogel to form a soft robotic structure, administering the soft robotic structure to a biofilm-covered location, and magnetizing the soft robot structure to substantially eradicate bacteria within a biofilm matrix, degrade the biofilm matrix, and remove biofilm debris from enclosed surfaces.

Systems and methods for eradicating biofilms by killing bacteria within a biofilm, degrading the matrix and removing biofilm debris are disclosed herein. The disclosed subject matter provides techniques for administering a suspension of H.sub.2O.sub.2 and iron oxide nanoparticles to substantially eradicate bacteria within a biofilm matrix and degrade the bio film matrix, actuating the iron oxide nanoparticles for assembly into biohybrid robots suitable for removal of biofilm debris, and moving the biohybrid robots to remove the bio film debris from accessible or enclosed surfaces. In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter can include embedding iron oxide nanoparticles in a hydrogel to form a soft robotic structure, administering the soft robotic structure to a biofilm-covered location, and magnetizing the soft robot structure to substantially eradicate bacteria within a biofilm matrix, degrade the biofilm matrix, and remove biofilm debris from enclosed surfaces.

Provided are an application of a citrate metal salt in endodontic treatment, and a formulation obtained by preparation; said citrate metal salt is used for removing a tarnished layer, and the citrate metal salt is lithium citrate, sodium citrate, potassium citrate, or magnesium citrate. The citrate metal salt is co-formulated with a citrate metal salt-compatible single-chain cationic antimicrobial agent, achieving results that are currently achieved only by alternating rinsing with EDTA-containing and sodium hypochlorite preparations in endodontic treatment.