Toll-like receptor（TLR） can trigger intracellular signal transductions and release antimicrobial proinflammatory factors, ultimately activating the host immune response by recognizing the evolutionarily conserved structures on pathogens through ligand-binding domain, which contains leucine-rich repeat motifs. The intracellular signal pathways in pulp cells mediated by TLR have important regulatory effects on body immune responses. Thus, this focus review on the expression of TLR in dental pulp tissues, the TLR signal pathways, and the possible great therapeutic implications in curing pulpitis diseases. By doing so, we aim to perfect the theory of pulpitis pathogenesis, and to provide a new angle for developing medical drugs in controlling the pulpitis problems.
