The esthetic outcome of autotransplanted premolars replacing maxillary incisors

Autotransplantation of a maxillary first premolar to replace an ankylosed maxillary incisor: 7-year follow-up

AIM

To present the combined endodontic, surgical and orthodontic treatment of an autotransplanted maxillary first premolar for the replacement of an ankylosed maxillary incisor.

SUMMARY

This case report describes the autotransplantation of a maxillary premolar after the extraction of an ankylosed incisor in a 13-year-old boy. To allow better adaptation of the donor tooth, the buccal root of the first premolar was removed using a diamond bur and the denuded root site was filled with acid-etched composite resin. The palatal root canal was dressed with calcium hydroxide for 2 months before filling with gutta-percha. Autotransplantation of a remodelled maxillary first premolar was achieved to substitute for the ankylosed maxillary central incisor. Orthodontic treatment was performed to correct an Angle Class II malocclusion. Seven years after root canal treatment, the autotransplanted tooth and supporting tissues appeared healthy both clinically and radiographically and were functioning well.

KEY LEARNING POINTS

• Autotransplantation is a viable option for the treatment of a missing tooth or for the replacement of a traumatized tooth when there is a donor tooth available. • Autotransplantation of a premolar for replacement of a missing anterior tooth is sometimes a suitable alternative to conventional prosthetic rehabilitation or implant treatment in young individuals. • Proper combined endodontic and orthodontic treatment of autotransplanted teeth might be possible without periodontal complications.

Orthodontic rehabilitation for anterior teeth lost due to trauma with crowding malocclusion

Herein, we describe orthodontic management for an adolescent girl with traumatic loss of the upper central incisors and maxillary protrusion. The central incisors were immediately replaced and fixed with application of a semi-rigid splint for 12 days, then endodontically treated. Severe root resorption and degeneration of periodontal tissue were noted after 4 years and the teeth were extracted, while the patient had also developed maxillary protrusion with severe crowding in the lower arch. The treatment objectives were to close the spaces by mesial movement of the buccal segment in the upper arch and eliminate crowding by extraction of the lower bicuspids. Favorable occlusion was achieved as was substitution with the lateral incisors for the lost central teeth.

Space closure after extraction of two central upper incisors and re-shaping of laterals

A 13-year-old boy had fractured both maxillary central incisors when he was 8 years old, resulting in pulpar damage. At the time of the accident, root canal therapy was performed. Although the teeth were retrieved, their roots were short and not fully developed. Cephalometric analysis suggested extraction of the four first premolars to achieve aesthetic and functional objectives. To attend to the patient's chief complaint, and with his parents' approval, both upper central incisors were extracted followed by periodontal and cosmetic procedures to improve the patient's smile as well as his self-esteem and satisfaction.

Orthodontic space closure of lost traumatized anterior teeth - case report

This case report refers to an 11-year-old boy with avulsion of the upper left central and lateral incisors. The teeth were replanted after 4 h, splinted with a semi-rigid splint for 12 days, and then endodontically treated. Severe progressive root resorption was seen after 2 years and the teeth were extracted. The boy had a normal occlusion with spacing in both jaws and slight protrusion of the anterior teeth. The treatment objectives were to close some of the spaces by mesial movement of the buccal segments in the upper jaw to minimize bone loss for a future single osseointegrated implant. Fixed appliance in combination with a removable plate was used for the mesial movements, levelling, and alignment of the upper jaw. Fixed appliance in the lower jaw and Class II traction were used for the final adjustment of the occlusion. A good occlusion with coincident upper and lower midlines and up-righted anterior teeth were achieved. A Maryland bridge was performed as a temporary solution for a future osseointegrated implant.

Tooth transplantations: a descriptive retrospective study

The aim of the present study was to perform a retrospective study of autogeneously transplanted teeth in order to examine the influence of clinical criteria such as the type of the donor tooth, the root length at the time of transplantation, donor eruption stage and others on the overall success rate of the transplantation. The material of this study consisted of 194 patients in whom 273 teeth were transplanted. The mean age at the time of autotransplantation was 18.1 years with a standard deviation of 7.5 years. Transplantations were performed in two hospitals. The follow-up period varied from 15 days to 11 years, and the mean follow-up time was 3.8 years. 58/273 teeth showed one or other form of resorption, 37/273 teeth showed ankylosis, 30/273 showed no important changes in pulp chamber size, 104/273 showed major discoloration after transplantation, 92/273 teeth showed positive results for cold test after transplantation and 26/273 teeth showed clinically unacceptable pocket depth. Clinical and radiological evaluations were performed. An association was found between successful transplantation and donor tooth type (P<0.01), root length at the time of transplantation (P<0.0001) and recipient tooth site (P=0.03). There was a borderline association between successful transplantation and donor eruption stage (P=0.05). In conclusion, autotransplantation of teeth performed with a careful surgical procedure at the stage of 1/2-3/4 of their intended or expected root length can render a very useful service to patients.

Outcome of orthodontic space closure with a missing maxillary central incisor

Orthodontic space closure is one of the treatment alternatives when a maxillary central incisor is missing. Because no systematic analysis of such treatment results is available, a sample of 20 consecutively treated patients was examined in a follow-up study. All patients had received orthodontic treatment with the objective of closing the space for the missing central incisor. Biologic features and the clinical appearance of the recontoured lateral incisor (test tooth) replacing the missing tooth were compared with the neighboring intact central incisor, which served as control tooth. The patients' opinions regarding the treatment and the result were recorded in a questionnaire. The position of the examined teeth and the appearance of the surrounding soft tissues were similar in the test and control teeth. However, in some patients (25%), certain aspects of the recontoured incisor crown (such as the width at the gingival margin) mismatched the appearance of the controls. A somewhat increased mobility and probing pocket depth on the mesial aspect was recorded for some test teeth. No obvious detrimental effects were observed on the radiographs. Most patients expressed satisfaction with the treatment result. It is concluded that orthodontic mesialization of the lateral incisor to replace a missing central incisor is a valid treatment modality, if the indications for such treatment are present and careful attention to detail in orthodontic and restorative treatment is exercised.