Splinting duration for replanted avulsed teeth

Abstract

Four databases were searched for relevant citations: Ovid Medline, Cochrane Library, PubMed and ISI Web of Science. studies were included in the review if they had been conducted on humans and addressed the management of traumatised permanent teeth. Only English language papers were considered. Final selection was based on relevance to the question, and availability of sufficient detail in the paper. A qualitative summary of the studies identified is presented. The review was limited by the studies' small sample sizes, variability in study design methodology and observation periods, and lack of uniformity in terminology for outcomes. A total of 138 replanted avulsed permanent teeth could be pooled from four papers, each reporting both short-term splinting (14 days or less) and long-term splinting (over 14 days) in accord with current clinical guidelines. The evidence appears inconclusive for any association between short-term splinting and increased likelihood of functional periodontal healing, acceptable healing, or decreased development of replacement resorption. The study found no evidence to contraindicate the current guidelines and suggests that the likelihood of successful periodontal healing after replantation is unaffected by splinting duration. Pending future research to the contrary, it is recommended that dentists continue to use the currently-recommended splinting periods when replanting avulsed permanent teeth.