Engineering Oral Microenvironments Using Microphysiological Systems

A deeper understanding of oral homeostasis and a precise evaluation of the effects of foreign materials are crucial for the oral health and total quality of life. Microphysiological systems (MPSs) or organs-on-chips have emerged over the past decade as attractive tools for emulating the physiological functions of organs in vitro. An MPS can pattern cells and matrices in a tiny microfluidic chip, which realizes in vivo-like cellular interactions and biochemical and physical forces. From this review, we summarize recent developments in MPSs that mimic the oral microenvironment. Oral MPSs can effectively evaluate the toxicity of dental materials in the oral cavity and recapitulate morphogenesis in the oral microenvironment. Oral MPSs are valuable tools for screening dental materials and understanding the development of oral tissues.