Extraction of the tooth is a valid treatment if
endodontic therapy is not applicable or where
endodontics would succeed, but successful completion
of the treatment plan is impossible because of
periodontal or restorative issues.
The tooth concerned
must be assessed for any restorative challenges that
would deem the tooth as unrestorable following root
canal treatment. Figure 4 shows a radiograph of a
patient with a severe restorative problem of tooth 36
because of the extensive subgingival restoration.
Removable partial dentures are often a simple and
relatively inexpensive tooth replacement option, but
these prostheses tend not to be well tolerated.
Conventional bridges can provide an excellent option
for tooth replacement, especially when the potential
abutment teeth will benefit with full coronal coverage
restorations,
but the patient’s oral hygiene must be
excellent.
Certain patients may benefit from an
implant-supported prosthesis, but it is not the
treatment of choice in all situations.
The patients must
be carefully selected both on clinical grounds and the
patients’ wishes after they have been fully informed of
the procedure and are able to make an informed
decision.