A small, early-stage cavity or injury to the tooth—when the pulp tissue is still healthy—can be treated with a procedure called direct pulp capping (DPC). This technique protects the pulp and can prevent more invasive treatments like root canals or extractions. For DPC to be effective, the materials used must seal the area completely and support natural healing.

Kyounga “Cecilia” Cheon, D.M.D., M.S., Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Director of the Finn Pediatric Dentistry Clinic at UAB, is leading a new research project aimed at improving these materials. Cheon is working closely with a team of experts in biomedical engineering, biomaterials, and immunology: Ho-Wook Jun, Ph.D., Nathan Lawson, D.M.D., Ph.D., and Ping Zhang, D.D.S., Ph.D.

“Conventional pulp capping materials often fall short in long-term performance,” Cheon said. “Our goal is to create a next-generation material that promotes healing and preserves pulp vitality—ultimately improving patient care.”

The project is funded by a $408,375 NIH R21 grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and will continue through July 2027.

Cheon’s team is developing an innovative bioactive pulp-capping material designed to promote healing, stimulate new pulp tissue growth, and remain stable in the tooth over time.

In the long term, this research could help reduce the need for root canals and tooth extractions while supporting the development of new dental technologies and driving biomedical innovation in Alabama and beyond.