Dental dilemmas: Endodontics or dental implants?

UNLABELLED: This narrative review explores treatment planning options in restorative dentistry. The growth of dental implants, as an accessible and predictable treatment option, gives practitioners a useful tool for managing the missing tooth or teeth with a hopeless prognosis. Traditionally, endodontics and fixed prosthodontics have been used to restore teeth and spaces where the outlook for such treatment appears reasonable. Practitioners may, however, question the predictability and cost effectiveness of such an approach where, at times, it might appear that replacement of a compromised tooth with a dental implant could be a more predictable option. The evidence base for these treatment options is explored and discussed, and suggestions are made for future management strategies.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A clear knowledge and understanding of the scientific literature for implants and endodontic treatment is necessary if practitioners are to make an evidence-based approach when treatment planning these modalities for their patients. This is particularly true in cases where there may appear to be a reasonable choice between the two of these.