Long-term follow-up and evaluation of transplantation of fully developed teeth

Abstract

Five cases of transplantation of fully developed third molars to second or first molar sites have been reported. Three of the transplants were in the mandibular molar region and two were in the maxillary molar region. There has been long-term follow-up and evaluation of the patients in these cases up to 13 years postoperatively. None of the patients had any complaint about the transplanted tooth at the long-term follow-up visit. In all five cases, at the long-term follow-up visit, the periodontal tissues were in excellent condition and there was growth of new attachment, as demonstrated by lamina dura and periodontal membrane space in the follow-up radiographs, deposition of secondary calcification of varying amounts within the root canals and pulp chamber, and regeneration of bone in the periapical and lateral areas. There was very little, if any, resorption demonstrated in any of these five cases. The ages of patients ranged from 17 to 23 years at the time of transplantation. Regeneration of the buccal plate was demonstrated by photographs in one of the two cases where there was surgical exposure of the region of the buccal plate at a postoperative follow-up visit.