Biological complications in implant-supported oral rehabilitation: as the pendulum swings back towards endodontics and tooth preservation

Abstract

The decision whether to retain a tooth by additional endodontic and restorative treatments or to extract it and replace it with an implant-supported restoration has been extensively debated, and the common approach to this clinical question has shifted back and forth many times. However, in recent years, it has become clear that implants are more prone to technical and biological complications, and require more postoperative treatments to maintain them than the natural dentition. A review of the currently available literature regarding the biological complications of implant-supported oral rehabilitation, and the ensuing effects on the clinical decision-making regarding the preservation of the teeth by endodontic treatments is presented.