Prognosis vs outcome: predicting tooth survival.

The assignment of prognosis is one of the most important functions undertaken in clinical practice, yet there is little evidence to support the current decision-making process. This article will review four articles that evaluate the traditional method of assigning a prognosis and predicting tooth survival. Limitations of the current method of assigning a prognosis are discussed, and models are presented that should allow clinicians to be more confident in their projections.