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| feature interview Source: Ibrahim Abu Tahun & Mahmoud Torabinejad. Management of teeth with vital pulps and open apices. Endodontic Topics 2012, 23, 79–104. 08 roots 2 2017 ments for the tooth pulp during the last three centuries illustrate this clearly. Recently, various treatment concepts have been suggested using less-invasive approaches. Even though an optimal treatment protocol is lacking, however, many case reports and case series on pulpal therapy have been published. Once considered taboo, vital pulpal treatment of symptomatic permanent teeth with mineral triox- ide aggregate has been reported to be successful, and greatly improved prognoses for permanent retention are now possible. A very recent study has found that regenerative endodontic treatment has the potential to be used to retreat teeth with persistent periapical periodon- titis after root canal therapy. More high-quality cohort studies would strengthen the evidence-based recommendations. However, the current best available evidence allows clinicians to provide these treatment modalities safely to patients. Globally, what is necessary to implement this new approach to endodontic treatment? A reparative, biological approach to pulpal ther- apy is not only welcome, but also absolutely es- sential. Ideally, the delivery of biologically based endodontic procedures must be more clinically effective than current treatments and the method of delivery must also be efficient, cost-effective and free of health hazards or side-effects for pa- tients. A recent study has suggested that endo- dontic practitioners are supportive and optimistic about the future use of regenerative endodontic procedures. Best practice guidelines must be updated to include guidance to maintain the self-respect of the dental profession and the trust of the patients we serve, as the fact remains that more biological endodontic treatment means endodontics that is more ethical than today. In your opinion, what innovations will influence endodontists most in the years to come? The tremendous and exciting new research on regenerative endodontics from Japan, the US and other countries has made the cultivation of potential in this field a strategic priority without undermining the efficacy of conventional endo- dontic therapies, but positioning practitioners at the forefront of this field. We are changing protocols, towards going bio- logical. This path to the future with various po- tential approaches based on clinical and scientific results presented in the professional literature will lead to predicable conservative treatment that may enable practitioners to fill a root canal with nature’s tissue instead of plastic materials or artificial surgical prostheses. The important challenge facing us now is to develop and adapt a safe, effective and consistent method for regen- erating a functional pulp–dentine complex in our patients._ Thank you very much for the interview. Editorial note: At the 19th Scientific Congress of the Asian Pacific Endodontic Confederation, which was held from 5 to 8 April in New Delhi in India, Tahun addressed current endodontic challenges and conflicting priorities between conventional therapies and new treatment modalities in his lecture “Can we do it forever?”.