ABSTRACT

Before embarking on root canal treatment or retreatment, the practitioner should have an overall treatment plan and specific plans about restorations for teeth scheduled for root canal treatment. For example, if an existing crown needs to be replaced then root canal

treatment may be made easier by removing it. In the case of a severely broken-down tooth, would an alternative to root canal treatment and subsequent crowning be more suitable (Fig. 3.1)? Other choices might be the addition of a tooth to a removable partial prosthesis, provision of a fixed bridge or an implant-retained prosthesis? Time spent on careful treatment planning will avoid unnecessary problems later.