Survival probability of dental autotransplantation of 366 teeth over 34 years within a hospital setting in the United Kingdom

Abstract

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate 34 years' experience of autotransplantation of teeth during orthodontic treatment. Treatment was completed at Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, Kent, UK, during the period 1969-2003. A total of 366 teeth were transplanted in 314 patients. Canines totalled 78 per cent of all autotransplanted teeth; mean age of patient was 19.4 years. Survival probability for the first 5 years post-autotransplantation was 95 per cent, 94 per cent for the subsequent 5 years, and 88 per cent after 15 years. The maximum observation period was 34 years, the median was 2.0 years, and the mean was 3.51 (standard deviation = 3.68) years. Of the observed teeth, 10 failed and these were lost due to unsuccessful periodontal ligament regeneration and persistent mobility grade III (or greater). Apical pathology was observed in 16 per cent of all autotransplanted teeth. In 79 per cent of this subgroup, apical pathology was evident in the first 3 years post-operatively. Seventy per cent of all external resorption also occurred within the first 3 years. Internal resorption was rare but its occurrence was mostly observed between the second and sixth year post-transplantation. A minority of autotransplanted teeth [14 per cent (n = 51)] needed root canal therapy, and this was completed within the first 6 months post-transplantation. Autotransplantation can be a justified procedure with good survival probability. It can be considered an alternative to other treatments, such as prosthodontic replacement of teeth.