Implant or the natural tooth--a contemporary treatment planning dilemma?

An assessment of whether to rehabilitate a tooth requiring endodontic treatment or to replace it with a dental implant can often involve a challenging and complex decision-making process. This paper reviews the literature pertaining to both treatment modalities and identifies key issues that need careful consideration in planning the most appropriate course of care in a given clinical situation. A need to appreciate advances across both disciplines is highlighted, allowing the development of effective interdisciplinary evidence-based treatment strategies to maximize treatment outcome.