Vital-Dent for Regenerating Tooth Pulp
Official title: Commercialization of the Vital-Dent Regenerative Pulp Therapy
Funded at Vic Foundry, INC. · NIH-11159602 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to make available a new hydrogel material called Vital-Dent that helps children and young adults regrow healthy tooth pulp after severe injuries or decay.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vic Foundry, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fayetteville, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $396,415 |
| NIH project number | 5R44DE033313-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11159602 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This approach is designed for children and young adults, particularly those with immature permanent teeth, who have experienced severe tooth injuries or extensive decay.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with minor tooth issues, fully developed adult teeth without severe damage, or those seeking purely cosmetic dental work would not directly benefit from this regenerative treatment.
What this research studies
Many children and young adults experience severe tooth injuries or decay, often leading to treatments that don't fully preserve the tooth's natural health. Vital-Dent is a special hydrogel designed to help regenerate vital pulp tissue throughout the tooth canal. This acellular, drug-free gel is placed into the tooth and then hardened with light, acting as a barrier to inflammation and supporting the natural regrowth of pulp. The goal is to improve tooth retention, make teeth stronger, and help them resist future infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help children and young adults keep their natural teeth longer, prevent fractures, and reduce the risk of future infections after severe tooth damage.
How similar studies have gone: Existing treatments for severe tooth damage in young patients have limitations, and this novel hydrogel aims to overcome those challenges by promoting true pulp regeneration.
Where this research is happening
-
Vic Foundry, INC.
Fayetteville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Su, Xiaoli — Vic Foundry, INC.
- Study coordinator: Su, Xiaoli
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.