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ePaper created 2017-06-21, 10:00:36 | version 1.38.0
| feature interview “Thefieldoftissue engineering has explodedduringthelastdecade” An interview with Dr Ibrahim Abu Tahun, Jordan Author: Kristin Hübner, Germany Being actively involved as a founding member and president of several endodontic societies, Dr Ibrahim Abu Tahun has experienced the changes in the field significantly over the last dec- ades. DTI had the opportunity to speak with Tahun, who is an associate professor in the Department of Conservative Dentistry at the University of Jordan, about the most influential developments in the specialty and how these advances are changing the way endodontics is practised. Dentistry is changing rapidly, with new materials, devices and treatment protocols being intro- duced constantly. What is the situation in endo- dontics in particular? What are the major devel- opments currently? At the beginning of the 21st century, we have greater understanding of the pulp biology, patho- physiology and its powers of healing. The field of tissue engineering has exploded during the last decade, and extensive reviews on dental applica- tions are available, producing a critical mass of knowledge and methods that are likely to answer the challenge issued decades ago. Various animal and human studies have shown high success rates for vital pulpal therapy. These in- vestigations have demonstrated that the ampu- tated pulp can be repaired by itself or after applica- tion of bioactive materials. Recent approaches to pulpal wound treatment have essentially followed two lines: one has con- tinued the conventional path to seeking improved synthetic materials that provide better seals, result- ing in a breakthrough in bioactive materials, while another line has taken a biological approach with the hope of identifying a biologically based strategy for treatment of clinical conditions. The potential benefits to patients and the profes- sion are groundbreaking. From a public health point of view, the recent advances in tissue management and wound healing, compared with the current form of root canal therapy, which is more of a me- chanical and chemical process, should be reflected in our clinical management to develop more bio- compatible treatment modalities and increase tooth longevity. In the past, it was unthinkable that the tissue in the periapical region of a non-vital infected tooth could regenerate. Case reports published during the last 15 years have demonstrated convincingly in humans that this type of environment may create “In the past, it was unthinkablethat the tissue intheperiapicalregionof anon-vitalinfectedtooth couldregenerate.” the ideal clinical outcome if disinfection can be achieved, just as it is for the canals in the case of dental avulsion. These novel endodontic tissue engineering therapies offer the possibility of restor- ing natural function and improving the long-term outcome of teeth with a poor prognosis. When it comes to implementing new treatment modalities in daily practice, do you think the endodontic community is somewhat divided or is the specialty as a whole on the verge of a major paradigm shift? What are the advantages of new treatment mo- dalities compared with conventional root canal therapy? The debate on clinical technique and the concept of regeneration and revascularisation per se is not a product of modern medicine. The varying treat- Dr Ibrahim Abu Tahun 06 roots 2 2017