Implants and Teeth - Considerations in planning your restoration of oral and dental health
Patients frequently ask: "Why remove 'good' teeth"? Or, "Why do a root canal, post and crown, isn't it easier and faster just to do an implant"? Unquestionably there are considerations in both directions and there is no one "right" answer for every situation. On one hand there is nothing like one's G-d given teeth, on the other hand, there is no question that most often, especially on people inclined to a gum disease and/or tooth decay that implants usually last longer than teeth. So how do we decide when to remove teeth and when to even do "acrobatics" to save a tooth?
The answer is quite simple, if once we had three theories on how two raise children now we have children and no theories. Having placed and restored over 50,000 teeth on implants over the past 30 years we can safely say - there's no experience like experience. In hindsight we ask, in a similar particular situation what worked best for most. When I had darker hair it was harder for me to recommend removing a tooth that could be saved. Today, with "whiter hair", I have the courage to be more truthful, when in fact it is faster, easier and better, long-term, to remove the tooth and place an implant.

There is no question that the decision was more difficult when performing an implant required general anesthesia in the operating room and months to restore, as opposed to the minutes today, usually without surgical cutting and stitching. It has become less and less justified to invest extensive time and money in complicated treatments that usually do not do as well long term.
There certainly are teeth worth trying to save, when no reconstruction in the area is necessary. However, if the area requires new construction, often, "patching" is not recommended, nor is building on a poor foundation, that will likely require further treatment in the not too distant future.
In many treatment plans the fee is set regardless of the number of implants and we may recommend to remove a tooth or teeth, "for the same money" and adding additional implants, so that a better, stronger, longer lasting result may be achieved, decreasing significantly the need for future care in that area, at no additional cost to you.
There definitely are cases where we may recommend saving teeth for various reasons, one being their positive neurological contribution. Of course each situation needs to be seriously evaluated as to our experience in similar situations in the past. We will usually respect one's desire to "save" teeth and will not force our opinion. We will, however, stress what we would do for our own family member, from a medical -engineering perspective, if not for the "cost". The financial investment is certainly a consideration, however, first and foremost, it is important to know what is ideal - "money aside". We are happy to try to elaborate, if necessary, why in your specific case one way or the other might be preferable.
Ultimately people want to feel good, look good and being done with their dental care for the longest time possible. At the same time, it is nice when it can be done faster easier and better. We will try everything we know how, to make your experience most pleasant, helping you restore your necessary comfort, function, health and esthetics on the highest level available anywhere in the world.
We know you have choices and appreciate your choosing us to help you. It is truly a compliment to us and we thank you for it.
Looking forward to helping you, and having you as a pleased member of our special "club".

Dr. Gedaliah Mordechai Stern and staff