Decoronation of an ankylosed tooth for preservation of alveolar bone priorto implant placement

A 12-year-old patient sustained avulsions of both permanent maxillary centr al incisors. Subsequently, both teeth developed replacement resorption. The left incisor was extracted alio loco. The right incisor was treated by dec oronation (removal of crown and pulp, but preservation of the root substanc e) Comparison of both sites demonstrated complete preservation of the heigh t and width of the alveolar hone at the decoronation site, whereas the toot h extraction site showed considerable bone loss. In addition, some vertical bone apposition was found on top of the decoronated root. Decoronation is a simple and safe surgical procedure for preservation of alveolar bone prio r to implant placement. It must be considered as a treatment option for tee th affected by replacement resorption if tooth transplantation is not feasi ble.