REPLACEMENT THERAPY UTILIZING AUTOTRANSPLANTED WISDOM TEETH

Loss of 1st and 2nd molars among adolescents due to dental caries is n ot uncommon in developing countries. Whilst their replacement is indic ated, conventional methods of treatment, namely, bridging and dentures are in most cases inaccessible because of prohibitive cost. Given tha t it is in the same age group that diagnosis of unfavourably embedded wisdom teeth becomes feasible, autotransplantation of the latter to re place the unsalvageable 1st and 2nd molars could be an alternative tre atment. Available literature suggests a success rate of over 82% based on follow-up studies of over ten years. Observations at the Dental Sc hool Clinic of the University of Nairobi, Kenya, indicate that the tim e it takes the transplant to 'take' and assume its functional position is 4 to 8 weeks and 2.5 to 3.5 months respectively. Since the method is relatively straightforward, we are of the view that training underg raduates and practising dental surgeons in this technique should enhan ce utilisation of otherwise ''useless'' teeth to replace the lost 1st and 2nd molars in occlusal rehabilitation.