Abstract: Disclosed is a method for filling a root canal in a tooth. The method includes positioning a fiber in the root canal of the tooth, filling at least a portion of the root canal with an unset hydrogel composition, such that the unset hydrogel composition contacts at least a portion of the fiber, setting the hydrogel composition, thereby forming a set hydrogel, and removing the fiber from the set hydrogel, thereby leaving a channel in the set hydrogel. Methods and kits for repairing teeth are also described.

Abstract: Biomaterials for tissue regeneration and engineering applications and methods of making and use thereof are described, as well as constructs and kits derived from the biomaterials. The biomaterials can be derived from extracellular matrix and functionalized to make them crosslinkable and amenable to tuning of their material properties.

Abstract: A synthetic tissue-graft scaffold (10) includes one or more nominally identical scaffold cages (12) that are configured to facilitate regrowth of tissue of an organism in and around the scaffold cages. Each scaffold cage comprises a volumetric enclosure (14) bounded by a perforated wall structure (30) that has an interior surface (32) and an exterior surface (34). A first annular inlet (22) and second annular inlet (24) positioned at opposite ends of the enclosure form, respectively, a first conjoining surface (54) and a second conjoining surface (56) that are configured so that confronting conjoining surfaces form complementary surfaces to each other. A perforated platform (60) is bounded by the interior surface of the enclosure and provides passageways (62) within the interior chamber. Corridors (40) extend through the perforated wall structure and communicate with the passageways to enable migration of material within and out of the cage.

Abstract: A modular synthetic tissue-graft scaffold (10) includes one or more nominally identical scaffold cages (12) configured to facilitate regrowth of tissue of an organism in and around the scaffold cages. Each scaffold cage comprises a volumetric enclosure (18) bounded by a perforated wall structure (40). A recess (24) formed at one end of the volumetric enclosure defines an inner stepped coupling surface. An annular raised portion (26) positioned at the other end of the volumetric enclosure forms an outwardly projecting stepped seating surface sized to form a complementary matable surface to the inner stepped coupling surface for whenever an inner stepped coupling surface of another one of the cages is placed on the outer stepped seating surface of the scaffold cage. Corridors (46) extending through the perforated wall structure and communicating with passageways (54) within the volumetric enclosure enable migration of material within and out of the scaffold cage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for filling a root canal in a tooth. The method includes positioning a fiber in the root canal of the tooth, filling at least a portion of the root canal with an unset hydrogel composition, such that the unset hydrogel composition contacts at least a portion of the fiber, setting the hydrogel composition, thereby forming a set hydrogel, and removing the fiber from the set hydrogel, thereby leaving a channel in the set hydrogel. Methods and kits for repairing teeth are also described.