Terry Walton: Herodontics - can it be justified in this age of implant dentistry

The lecture raises the discussion about overtreatment of natural teeth or alternatively also with implants. Dr Walton introduces his thoughts as a 'tale of caution'. Is ongoing treatment of severely structurally or periodontally compromised teeth - 'herodontics' - still justified in nowadays dentristry, where implant treatment has become routine and standard-of care in many clinical sitiations ? On the other hand the lecturer compares herodontics to 'herointegration', heroic procedures to enable the placement of implants, and raises the question if it is justified to replace herodontics by herointegration. Dr Walton concludes that not all standard recipes fit every case, and that each case needs to be considered individually from a financial, functional, esthetic, comfort and emotional perspective.