Case Study Number 357016 Implant versus natural tooth
Both implants and root canals have similar success rates (above 90%) so the remaining concerns are periodontal status and tooth restorability. If it not restorable, or if bone loss is to important, then prognosis is bad and tooth should be extracted. In that case implant would be the righteous option for a fixed prosthesis.
Periodontal apparatus is fine but a huge part of the existing amalgam and tooth on this maxillary molar just broke. Patient is in pain because of pulpal severe inflammation. Patient has a private insurance coverage which does not include implant surgery. Saving her own tooth will spare her this big expenditure. After thoughtful reflection and discussion with his patient, referring dentist decided to incorporate this tooth as a 16, 15 X 13 bridge abutment.
Patient is in good health, radiographic examination shows some partly calcified canals, the mandatory rubber dam is not difficult to install, root canal procedure is achieved with no complications and patient went back to see her own dentist who placed a long casted post in palatal canal.
This last X ray dental film is a seven years post operative control proving that his severely worn tooth could be used as a very effective abutment. Patient avoided implant therapy and above all preserved her own tooth.
Its really helpful information, thanks for share.