A clinical follow-up study of 278 autotransplanted teeth

This open study was undertaken to investigate the outcome of autotransplanted teeth over a 6-year period. The subjects were 296 patients who underwent autotransplantation in the 6-year period September 1986–August 1992 and outcome was easured by considering root formation, occlusion, endodontal and periodontal complications. 18 patients were excluded because of inadequate notes or radiographs (n = 3) or because they were lost to follow-up (n = 15). The groups were divided into open apex and closed apex, and duration of follow up was 6 months-5 years. Aplasia was the indication for operation in 158 (77%) of the open apex group but only 10 (14%) of the closed apex group, whereas caries and associated disease was the most common in the latter (n=45, 61% compared with 20, 10%). There were 24 complete failures, 12 in each group (p<0.01). Only 7 teeth in total developed full roots, and 159 showed incomplete growth. In the open apex group 112 teeth were in occlussal contact and 4 were extracted for severe infraocclusion. In the closed apex group there were 10 cases of mild infraocclusion, none of which required treatment. There were 7 cases of pulp necrosis in the open apex group, 4 of which required extraction. Two teeth in the closed apex group were extracted for endodontic reasons. Only 1 tooth (in the closed apex group) had to be extracted for periodontal reasons. Autotransplantation is a reliable method with a good prognosis for donor teeth with both open and closed apexes. The technique is applicable whatever the aetiology of the agenesis, and is worthy of consideration should there be a suitable donor tooth.