A CLINICAL FOLLOW-UP-STUDY OF 278 AUTOTRANSPLANTED TEETH

This open study was undertaken to investigate the outcome of autotrans planted teeth over a 6-year period. The subjects were 296 patients who underwent autotransplantation in the 6-year period September 1986 Aug ust 1992 and outcome was measured by considering root formation, occlu sion, endodontal and periodontal complications. 18 patients were exclu ded because of inadequate notes or radiographs (n=3) or because they w ere lost to follow-up (n=15). The groups were divided into open apex a nd closed apex, and duration of follow up was 6 months-5 years. Aplasi a was the indication for operation in 158 (77%) of the open apex group but only 10 (14%) of the closed apex group, whereas caries and associ ated disease was the most common in the latter (n=45, 61% compared wit h 20, 10%). There were 24 complete failures, 12 in each group (p<0.01) . Only 7 teeth in total developed full roots, and 159 showed incomplet e growth. In the open apex group 112 teeth were in occlussal contact a nd 4 were extracted for severe infraocclusion. In the closed apex grou p there were 10 cases of mild infraocclusion, none of which required t reatment. There were 7 cases of pulp necrosis in the open apex group, 4 of which required extraction. Two teeth in the closed apex group mer e extracted for endodontic reasons. Only 1 tooth (in the closed apex g roup) had to be extracted for periodontal reasons. Autotransplantation is a reliable method with a good prognosis for donor teeth with both open and closed apexes. The technique is applicable whatever the aetio logy of the agenesis, and is worthy of consideration should there be a suitable donor tooth.