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Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

November 26 - December 3, 201222 United Kingdom EditionOpinion W hen I was young, my mother – bless ‘er – always used to say to me, “Michael, you should al- ways ask a girl to dance – after all, what’s the worst that can happen? She can only say no!” Oh how wrong she was… Children can be very cruel sometimes, and as a shy young man growing up into the world I learnt, as I suspect many of us have over the years, that my mother was wrong, and her philosophy of always ask- ing a girl to dance would on occasion lead to my complete and utter humiliation. Advice But now, many years later, in my work as a dentist I do still find myself thinking about my mother’s advice, and that age- old phrase, “what’s the worst that can happen?” Though ob- viously used in a completely different context, I do find it an interesting phrase, and one that particularly applies to process of treatment planning. As dentists, sometimes we are involved in doing a treat- ment that if it fails could have a worse outcome than the sec- ond option that may be less desirable for the patient, but safer. Unfortunately, we can’t always avoid it. It may be the case for example that the pa- tient can’t afford to pay for a replacement, or health and age factors mean they are un- suitable for alternative proce- dures. In some cases it may even be something as simple as the patient is adamant they don’t want to lose their tooth. In endodontics I can think of numerous instances where a patient’s call for a “heroic” procedure can sometimes lead to the result being far worse than the initial complaint. If it works, then great – amaz- ing – you’ve saved a tooth that most dentists would have con- signed to extraction. If it fails, however, then even extraction may have been a better option long term. A good example of just this type of risky procedure might be apical surgery on a tooth with both an uncertain prog- nosis and a failing endodontic procedure. The surgery may involve removing a lot of buc- cal bone that may make an im- plant harder to do later should there be no healing. Herodontics Though the above may be a fairly straightforward exam- ple of “herodontics” there are other, less clear-cut cases as well. Sometimes we will be called to attempt herodontics to try and prolong the life of Experience some of the world’s greatest speakers in a breathtaking setting Innovate with a brand new format of lectures Network with your peers and speakers over a fantastic lunch and drinks reception The conference will be held in the exclusive Altitude 360° Altitude 360°, 29th Floor, Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London, SW1 4QP Book now to secure your place Places are limited, book now with Smile-on on call 020 7400 8989 or email info@smile-on.com G. John Schoeffel Gary Glassman Simon Cunnington Gianluca Gambarini First 50 delegates to sign up enjoy the ultimate lunch and learn with our speakers Friday 1st February 2013 the UK’s Premium Endodontic Conference Early Booking price £199 (usual price £249) What’s the worst that can happen? Michael Sultan discusses treatment planning page 24DTà ‘Sometimes we are involved in doing a treatment that if it fails could have a worse outcome than the second option that may be less desirable for the patient, but safer’