Figure 2

Decision tree for the management of an abscessed tooth. (The square box signifies the decision node. It is at this point in the decision tree that the decision maker is asked to make a choice. What follows are the circular chance nodes. Branching from these chance nodes are possible consequences, as represented by the probabilities of a positive and negative outcome. The end node, as depicted by the triangle, indicates that the decision has been completed. At this point, all uncertainties and utilities associated with each decision have been incurred. In other words, the decision maker understands that once they commit to a decision, they accept its associated uncertainty and utility and thus consequences.)