Volume 80 • Number 8
Letters to the Editor
To the Editor:
Re: A Novel Decision-Making Process for Tooth Re-
tention or Extraction. Avila G, Galindo-Moreno P,
Soehren S, Misch CE, Morelli T, Wang HL (J Peri-
odontol 2009;80:476-491).
After having read this article, I was impressed with
the thought the authors placed in developing their
schema of diagnostic evaluation. I would like to sug-
gest two additional diagnostic details to consider:
1. Maintenance of a tooth for alveolar bone preser-
vation, prior to implant placement; or
2. Temporary utilization of a retained tooth to main-
tain vertical dimension, and/or stabilization of a pro-
visional prosthetic appliance.
I have included a number of references to support
these diagnostic considerations.1-7
Philip M. WaltonAdvanced Graduate Resident in
Periodontology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine,
Boston, MA; with acknowledgment to Dr. Walter S.
Krawczyk, Harvard School of Dental Medicine.
REFERENCES
1. O’Neal RB, Gound T, Levin MP, del Rio CE. Submer-
gence of roots for alveolar bone preservation. I. End-
1202
odontically treated roots. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral
Pathol 1978;45:803-810.
2. Salama M, Ishikawa T, Salama H, Funato A, Garber
D. Advantages of the root submergence technique
for pontic site development in esthetic implant ther-
apy. Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent 2007;27:
521-527.
3. Salama H, Salama M. The role of orthodontic extrusive
remodeling in the enhancement of soft and hard tissue
profiles prior to implant placement: A systematic
approach to the management of extraction site de-
fects. Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent 1993;13:312-
333.
4. Korayem M, Flores-Mir C, Nassar U, Olfert K.
Implant site development by orthodontic extrusion.
A systematic review. Angle Orthod 2008;78:752-
760.
5. Mercurio RJ. Treatment planning to retain hopeless
teeth as support for transitional appliances: Three case
reports. J Oral Implantol 2002;28:15-18.
6. Cordaro L, Torsello F, Ercoli C, Gallucci G. Transition
from failing dentition to a fixed implant-supported
restoration: A staged approach. Int J Periodontics
Restorative Dent 2007;27:481-487.
7. Bowers GM, Chadroff B, Carnevale R, et al. Histo-
logic evaluation of new attachment apparatus for-
mation in humans: Part III. J Periodontol 1989;60:
683-693.
Submitted April 1, 2009; accepted for publication April 1,
2009.
doi: 10.1902/jop.2009.090188