Should We Pull the Plug? Do We Need a Third Dentition? (Point-Counterpoint)

Program Track: Emerging Concepts and Innovative Therapies

This point-counterpoint presentation reflects the real-life dilemma that is faced by all clinicians every day: “to extract or not to extract?” Teeth are extracted because they have hopeless prognosis or sometimes, we succumb to the pressures of referring dentists or lack knowledge of alternative treatment options. Considering the rise of implant complications and prevalence of peri-implant diseases, this topic is quite timely and apt. This course will focus on non-implant management options for carious, resorbed, fractured or periodontally compromised teeth. The contents of the course may seem like common sense, but is it? This presentation will be followed by a counter presentation on why implants can be a rationale treatment decision.

Educational Objectives:

• Identify implant and non-implant treatment options for teeth that are deemed hopeless from a restorative or periodontal standpoint.
• Integrate other confounders such as patient desires, systemic health, dental health, compliance, and finances into the decision making of save or to extract teeth.
• Discuss advantages and disadvantages of each of these options.
• Gain short- and long-term prognosis of saving teeth versus extracting and placing implants.