Tooth Restorability Index

A Tooth restorability index has been developed to assist the clinician in assessing the restorability of a tooth. Although this index has been developed for root-treated teeth, it is also intended for assessment of vital teeth. The influence of remaining coronal dentin on the survival of a restoration has not been documented. The index encourages reflection upon the unique needs of the patient and assists in the delivery of holistic patient centred-care. Each patient and their dental need is unique; like any guideline, the TRI exists to assist rather than rigidly dictate how a dental problem is managed. There is currently no approved standardised tool for evaluating the overall condition of teeth but following tooth restorability index it helps the clinician to arrive at the correct diagnosis and treatment plan, avoid errors, increase the predictability of dental treatment and increase the quality of service.These levels of decision making and restorability indexing should be practised and encouraged in order to increase the efficiency and sustainability of a tooth in the oral cavity. After all, "Every tooth in a man's head is more valuable than a diamond" - Miguel de Carvantes.