Vital Pulp Therapy : The minimally invasive Endodontic therapy for mature permanent teeth?

This work will eventually provide a new understanding of pulp pathophysiology and defense mechanisms and will reform dental practitioners' decision-making in treating irreversible pulpitis from root canal therapy to vital pulp therapy by taking advantage of the biological effects of Tricalcium Silicate materials. Vital Pulp Therapy is nowadays challenging the long-established dogma of root canal treatment being the only therapeutic option for permanent teeth diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis or carious pulp exposure. Histologic and clinical research has shown that compromised dental pulp can be treated without the full removal or excavation of all healthy pulp, and the outcome of the partial or full pulpotomy followed by a Tricalcium-Silicate-based dressing seems to show promising results in maintaining pulp vitality and preserving affected teeth in the long term. This work aims to change and reform dental practitioner's decision making in treating irreversible pulpits of permanent teeth through evidence-based practice by providing a review of scientific concepts combining advanced material science and cell biology research and their interaction with the underlying tissue.