Professor Jin-kyu Lee publishes new paradigm for Vital Pulp Therapy

Professor Jin-kyu Lee of the Department of Conservative Dentistry at Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong has published a new dental textbook titled ‘A New Paradigm of Vital Pulp Therapy’. The book aims to extend the lifespan of natural teeth by maximizing the preservation of pulp vitality.

The text introduces new clinical protocols designed to overcome the limitations of existing vital pulp therapy. Central to this new approach are the concepts of Minimized Dentin Removal (MDR) and Minimized Pulp Resection (MPR), which focus on minimizing the removal of dentin and pulp tissue to preserve healthy pulp.

Professor Lee advocates for viewing vital pulp therapy not merely as a way to delay root canal treatment, but as a ‘first-line treatment’ for preserving natural teeth. The book encourages clinicians to expand their focus from purely procedural approaches to include pulp biology and vitality.