For a patient missing #2 and #3, with #1 showing Class III mobility and furcation involvement, what is the best treatment plan?

The choice to extract tooth #1 and plan for an implant for tooth #3 is apt given the clinical scenario of Class III mobility and furcation involvement associated with tooth #1. Class III mobility indicates significant periodontal compromise, suggesting that this tooth has a high likelihood of loss. Furthermore, the presence of furcation involvement complicates the prognosis as it often signifies advanced periodontal disease that affects the overall stability and health of the tooth.

When tooth #1 is removed due to these critical conditions, planning for an implant for #3 addresses both the aesthetic and functional aspects of the occlusion. The implant serves to replace the missing tooth, creating a more stable and predictable outcome compared to attempts to retain tooth #1, which may lead to further complications and the need for additional treatment in the future. Retaining a tooth with such severe mobility and furcation involvement typically leads to continued periodontal issues and could potentially compromise adjacent structures.

Other treatment options, such as retaining tooth #1 and restoring it, or providing a partial denture, do not adequately address the structural integrity and health of the periodontium. They might inadvertently prolong the patient’s discomfort or lead to further complications due to the unhealthy state of tooth #1. Therefore, the most effective treatment plan is to