ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the benefits of replanting avulsed permanent teeth in different age groups. Of the 112 replanted teeth, 103 could be examined after 2.5 years on average. The teeth were divided into three groups: immature teeth (group A), mature teeth in children and adolescents (group B), and mature teeth in adults (group C). Concomitant injuries did not differ statistically between the groups. Extra-alveolar time with unphysiologic storage was longer than 15 min in 81 teeth. The results were statistically different for pulpal healing (A >> B > C), loss of marginal bone (C > A), amount of replacement resorption (A and B > C), alveolar growth inhibition (A > B >> C), local gingivitis (B > A and C) and buccal gingival retraction (C > A and B). Only 3 of 23 extracted teeth were lost because of replacement resorption alone. Only 2 of the 23 extracted teeth showed revascularization of the pulp. The results suggested that replanting avulsed teeth should be considered a temporary solution in children and adolescents. In these patients, the benefit of tooth replantation is mainly the time gained to establish an optimal treatment plan. Mature teeth with a necrotic periodontal ligament replanted in children before the pubertal growth spurt seemed to have the poorest prognosis.
Subject(s)
Tooth Avulsion/therapy , Tooth Replantation/adverse effects , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Chi-Square Distribution , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care , Root Resorption/etiology , Tissue Preservation , Tooth Ankylosis/etiology , Tooth Discoloration/etiology , Tooth Loss/etiology , Tooth Replantation/methods , Wound HealingABSTRACT
The aim of this investigation was a critical assessment of the short- and medium-term results of replantation of immature, avulsed permanent teeth. Thirty-nine teeth were investigated after 2.5 years on average. Only 7 teeth (18%) had been replanted within 5 min after avulsion. Sixteen teeth (41%) showed revascularisation or ingrowth of alveolar bone into the pulp. Twenty-two teeth (56%) showed signs of ankylosis, 6 (15%) had been exfoliated or extracted. Seventeen teeth (77% of the ankylotic ones) exhibited an alveolar growth arrest of 1.5 mm per 10 cm body growth. By planimetric assessment, the yearly loss of root dentin by replacement resorption was about 15%. The appearance was compromised in 11 cases (33%) by severe discoloration. In spite of intense therapeutic effort and partial success, the results must be classified as unsatisfactory. In avulsions of immature permanent teeth, replantation therefore has to be considered an intermediate solution. Since the main reason for a failure is extended extra-oral unphysiologic storage, replantation by lay helpers immediately after the accident should be propagated as a first-aid treatment to improve the situation of the replanted tooth. In addition, more attention should be paid to preserving teeth in tissue cultures before replantation.
