Root Development of Immature Third Molars Transplanted to Surgically Created Sockets

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare root development after transplantation of teeth into surgically created sockets or into fresh extraction sites. The sample consisted of 62 patients with a total of 64 transplanted immature third molars. All transplants were at root development stages 3 to 4. In 22 cases, a new socket was created by means of burs. Forty-two teeth transplanted into a fresh extraction site served as controls. Postoperative root development was determined on intraoral radiographs taken immediately after transplantation and at the final follow-up. For all transplants, extraoral storage time and number of trials were recorded during transplantation. No significant intergroup differences were observed at root development stage 3. In contrast, at root development stage 4 transplantations to surgically created sockets showed a significantly lower final root length (P = .025) and root length increment (P = .038) than transplants in the control group. In addition, a significant correlation was determined in the prepared socket group at developmental stage 4 between root length increment and extraoral storage time (r = -0.910, r(2) = 0.828, P < .001) or number of trials in the recipient socket (r = -0.775, r(2) = 0.601, P < .001). Teeth at advanced developmental stages transplanted to surgically created sockets show an impaired postoperative root development. A possible explanation might be damage of Hertwig's epithelial root sheath during the transplantation procedure.