• Sirichai Thammachartaree D.D.S.
• Chintana Sirichompun D.D.S. (Hons), M.D.Sc. (Orthodontics), Dip.Th.B.O.

Autogenous tooth transplantation is one of the options used in combination with an orthodontic
treatment in cases of missing, embedded or impacted tooth. Those who undergo tooth
transplantation should be physically evaluated to rule out contraindications, if any, for surgery. The
donor tooth should possess three-quarter root formation without abnormal root morphology while
the bony wall at recipient site should be at least 0.5 mm. Tooth transplantation can be performed in
several areas, i.e. incisor, canine, premolar and molar. Its success rate is 50-97 percent. After
transplantation, the tooth must be fixed for periodontal healing with wire, acrylic splint, acidetch
composite resin splint, orthodontic appliance or suture material. Surgical complications to be
observed are infection, pulp necrosis, internal and external root resorption. Within 6 months after
transplantation, evaluation of pulpal healing by the presence of pulp canal obliteration gives more
certain result than by electric pulp testing. However, the optimal time for tooth movement should be
after periodontal healing and before total pulp canal obliteration, which is 3-9 months after
transplantation. Pulp necrosis has been reported to increase in a multi-rooted tooth following a rotation
movement. Therefore, such type of tooth movement should be taken care of.

(CU Dent J. 2005;28:253-62)