The ideal restoration of endodontically treated teeth - structural and esthetic considerations: a review of the literature and clinical guidelines for the restorative clinician

In restorative dentistry, the non-vital tooth and its restoration have been extensively studied from both its structural and esthetic aspects. The restoration of endodontically treated teeth has much in common with modern implantology: both must include multifaceted biological, biomechanical and esthetic considerations with a profound understanding of materials and techniques; both are technique sensitive and both require a multidisciplinary approach. And for both, two fundamental principles from team sports apply well: firstly, the weakest link determines the limits, and secondly, it is a very long way to the top, but a very short way to failure. Nevertheless, there is one major difference: if the tooth fails, there is the option of the implant, but if the implant fails, there is only another implant or nothing. The aim of this essay is to try to answer some clinically relevant conceptual questions and to give some clinical guidelines regarding the reconstructive aspects, based on scientific evidence and clinical expertise.