This course addresses the principle that all dental treatment decisions must be predicated on preserving and improving the esthetic, phonetic, and functional dentition as perceived by both the clinician and the patient. While modifiers such as physical health, patient behavior, financial capability, and case-specific performance variability cannot be eliminated from treatment planning, the presenters argue that periodontal and endodontic therapy should still be evaluated against a defined endpoint of long-term success.

Dr. Herman and Prof. Nevins review the clinical evidence supporting definitive periodontal and endodontic treatment as an alternative to extraction and implant placement, discussing case selection criteria and the long-term outcomes reported in the literature.

Prof. Myron Nevins, a periodontist whose research shaped several decades of periodontal practice, passed away in December 2025.