WNT7B and periapical periodontitis: Genes with greater expression in nociceptor-ablated females after 14 days included the wingless-type MMTV integration site family (Wnt), member 7B (Wnt7b), Wnt4, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2 (Cxcl2), and Cxcl1. Interestingly, cre-control females demonstrated greater Prl, growth hormone (Gh), and dickkopf Wnt signaling pathway inhibitor 1 (Dkk1) levels within apical periodontitis lesions at 14 days post-pulp exposure.