Ethics & Law · single question
A terminally ill patient with 1 year to live presents for dental treatment. Which treatment would you NOT recommend?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Implant placement on tooth #20
For a patient with 1 year to live, implant placement is contraindicated because: osseointegration requires 3–6 months minimum, loading and restoration require additional time, and the patient would have little functional benefit before end of life. Treatment should focus on comfort, palliative care, and eliminating pain/infection. Extractions of hopeless teeth and dentures may still be appropriate if they improve quality of life.
- A. ✅ CORRECT – Implant placement is inappropriate for a patient with 1 year to live; osseointegration and restoration timelines exceed the patient's prognosis.
- B. ❌ Complete denture fabrication may be reasonable if the patient has sufficient time and desire for functional improvement.
- C. ❌ Extraction of hopeless teeth is appropriate to eliminate pain and infection — improves quality of life.
- D. ❌ Palliative care and pain management are the cornerstone of treatment for terminally ill patients.