If a tooth is already having problems, why would you consider patching it up, or bonding it? It would seem like its already decaying, and once the initial dentin has eroded there is no earning it back. Especially since a dying nerve can be incredibly painful… why shouldn’t we just want to remove the whole tooth? What is the benefits of a natural tooth over an artificial one?

One of the main differences between a natural tooth and an artificial tooth is that a tooth has periodontal ligaments. Periodontal ligament (aka periodontal fibers) is a type of connective tissue fiber that attach the tooth directly to the aveolar bone. Dental Implants are drilled right into the bone. These periodontal ligaments help absorb pressure for a tooth, making it less stressful on your mouth when you tap, chew, or even touch a tooth. The stress on the periodontal ligaments also helps you to know when something could be wrong with the tooth, such as it getting loose of being twisted out of shape. You could see this as directly helpful for maintaining dental health.

When a tooth is removed, part of the aveolar bone is also lost. Also, when a tooth is removed, there is an aesthetic change- your gum line begins to recede.

These are probably the most meaningful reasons not to just jump into removing a tooth directly- even if it seems like a money and time saver. The lack of periodontal ligaments have a lot of long term problems for your jaw. So dentists typically try to limit the amount of teeth that they have to remove and place implants to keep your mouth healthier, longer. While implants have an important role in dentistry, most dentists will always try to save a tooth when possible.