Ethical issues in replacing a single tooth with a dental implant
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Date
2014
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
South African Dental Association
Abstract
A general dental practitioner experienced in the placement
of dental endosteal implants attends to a 32-year old female
patient at her first consultation and treatment planning visit.
The patient's oral hygiene was exemplary, her dentition
restoration free except for the left central incisor which was
non-vital following trauma several years earlier. The tooth
had internal resorption, was mobile, had a resorbed apex,
was symptomatic, and is by the practitioner's judgement
indicated for extraction. The dilemma then was, what were
the options for tooth replacement? Treatment options
included: a removable partial prosthesis with a single tooth
(acrylic, chrome cobalt), fixed multi-tooth partial prosthesis
(porcelain, composite, porcelain-metal), fixed single tooth
(porcelain, porcelain-metal), or an endosteal implant -
supported crown (screw retained, cement retained). The
dentist recommended extraction and immediate placement
of an implant with a provisional crown. The patient was not
comfortable with the idea of having a 'titanium screw' in her
jaw and expressed her deep-seated fear of dentists. The
cost of this treatment option was also a concern but she was
grateful to be able to have the treatment in a single visit and
leave without a missing front tooth. At an appointment soon
thereafter, the incisor was removed an endosteal implant
placed together with an implant provisional tooth in place.
Description
Keywords
Dental implants, Prosthodontics, Ethics, Oral Hygeine
Citation
Naidoo, S., Du Toit, J. (2014). Ethical issues in replacing a single tooth with a dental implant. South African Dental Journal, 69 (4): 176 - 177