Autotransplantation of an impacted third molar: an orthodontic case report

Survival probability of dental autotransplantation of 366 teeth over 34 years within a hospital setting in the United Kingdom

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate 34 years' experience of autotransplantation of teeth during orthodontic treatment.

METHODOLOGY

Treatment was completed at Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, Kent, UK, during the period 1969-2003. A total of 366 teeth were transplanted in 314 patients.

RESULTS

Canines totalled 78 per cent of all autotransplanted teeth; mean age of patient was 19.4 years. Survival probability for the first 5 years post-autotransplantation was 95 per cent, 94 per cent for the subsequent 5 years, and 88 per cent after 15 years. The maximum observation period was 34 years, the median was 2.0 years, and the mean was 3.51 (standard deviation = 3.68) years. Of the observed teeth, 10 failed and these were lost due to unsuccessful periodontal ligament regeneration and persistent mobility grade III (or greater). Apical pathology was observed in 16 per cent of all autotransplanted teeth. In 79 per cent of this subgroup, apical pathology was evident in the first 3 years post-operatively. Seventy per cent of all external resorption also occurred within the first 3 years. Internal resorption was rare but its occurrence was mostly observed between the second and sixth year post-transplantation. A minority of autotransplanted teeth [14 per cent (n = 51)] needed root canal therapy, and this was completed within the first 6 months post-transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Autotransplantation can be a justified procedure with good survival probability. It can be considered an alternative to other treatments, such as prosthodontic replacement of teeth.

Therapeutic decisions in the presence of decayed permanent first molars in young subjects: a descriptive inquiry

The aim of this exhaustive descriptive epidemiological study was to determine the clinical approach to be adopted by practitioners specializing exclusively in pediatric odontology and by orthodontists when confronted with decayed molars in children and adolescents.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A questionnaire was sent out to all corresponding practitioners (n=2076). Six questions related to treatment decisions taken when faced with decayed permanent first molars (unfavorable short or middle-term prognosis) in patients needing, or not, orthodontic care. The Chi(2) test was used to compare responses.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight per cent of pedodontists (n=38) and 12.5% (n=246) of orthodontists answered the questionnaire. Faced with a permanent first molar with an unfavorable middle-term prognosis, 75.7% needed criteria to help them reach their treatment decision. In decreasing order of importance, these criteria were: presence of the third molar, patient motivation, inter-arch relationship, patient's oral hygiene, facial type, anterior jaw-teeth discrepancy and the number of molars to be extracted. Faced with a permanent first molar requiring extraction and when orthodontic treatment was not required, 31.7% of practitioners decided to close the maxillary space immediately as opposed to 13.4% who closed the space at the mandible. In the presence of a single decayed first molar, 68.7% of practitioners did not extract the antagonist or contralateral first molars.

CONCLUSION

These treatment decisions were not always unanimous and call for a combined approach between dental surgeon and orthodontist.

Orthodontic treatment after autotransplantation

Autotransplantation is an alternative method to replace a missing tooth. This study reports a 17-year-old man who had autotransplantation of the left upper third molar with the congenitally missing left lower second premolar. No signs of inflammation, root resorption, ankylosis, mobility, sensitivity, pocket problems, or pulp destructions were found after 2-year follow up. Autotransplantation can lead to shorter treatment time and an improved treatment result in certain cases. It also eliminates the need for implants or prosthetic therapy.