The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) have said that there have been several recent reports of dental practitioners removing healthy, treatable teeth in favor of dental implants. The AAE says that because their mission is to preserve natural teeth whenever possible, they are highly alarmed. "This practice is a serious violation of ethical standards and a betrayal of patient trust," says the AAE. "...we strongly condemn any approach that prioritizes profit over the long-term health and well-being of patients." The AAE urges patients to get second opinions and to become fully informed before making an irreversible decision such as the removal of teeth. They say that this decision has significant implications for the patient's oral health and quality of life and that everyone deserves comprehensive information about treatment options before making it. "At the AAE, we stand firm in our commitment to patient-centered care, ethical practice, and the preservation of natural teeth. We encourage all dental practitioners to remember that their responsibility is to their patients’ health above all else, and to practice guided by the ethical principles of patient autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, and veracity."Source: aae.org
Extraction should follow a documented restorability assessment and comparison with tooth-preserving alternatives within the extraction decision pathway.
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