Systematic Review: Choosing Dental Implants as Replacement of Periodontally Compromised Natural Teeth vs Maintaining Them—Cost-Effective Treatment Plan

Abstract

  Periodontal disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss worldwide, leaving dental professionals to choose between maintaining periodontally compromised teeth or replacing them with dental implants. This systematic review aims to compare the cost-effectiveness of periodontal therapy and dental implants for such cases. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library from 2010 to 2023, resulting in 38 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. The review revealed that while dental implants provide a higher upfront cost, they offer better long-term stability and reduced maintenance costs compared to periodontal therapy. However, periodontal treatment provides psychological benefits by preserving natural teeth and may be more cost-effective in the short to medium term. The decision between the two approaches depends on factors like patient age, periodontal risk, and maintenance commitment. Clinically, both options offer similar long-term survival rates but differ in patient satisfaction and complication risks. This review highlights the need for patient-specific treatment planning to ensure optimal outcomes.