A Commentary on strategic extraction.

BACKGROUND Advancements in strategies to maintain compromised teeth combined with a greater understanding of risks associated with dental implants invite a reassessment of the benefits of strategic extraction of a tooth with a questionable prognosis or of limited strategic value. METHODS Evidence of the management of compromised teeth and decision making for strategic extraction was reviewed. Additionally, the risks for peri-implantitis were evaluated from the perspective of patient centric, biologic, and biomechanical complications. RESULTS Recent clinical innovations support a more predictable maintenance of compromised dentition, and the clinical literature provides evidence of the risks associated with dental implants. CONCLUSIONS Due to the improvements in dental management of compromised dentition, strategic extraction should be deferred, whenever possible, to avoid complications associated with peri-implantitis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.