Outcome of tooth transplantation: survival and success rates 17-41 years posttreatment

Abstract

The literature contains no follow-up studies of transplanted teeth with mean observation times exceeding 10 years. This article describes long-term outcomes, including gingival and periodontal conditions, and the patients' attitudes about treatment and outcome. The material comprised all accessible patients in the files of the Department of Orthodontics, University of Oslo, Norway, on whom treatment had been performed at least 17 years ago (n = 28). Established clinical criteria were used to assess tooth mobility, plaque and gingival indexes, and probing pocket depth. Standardized radiography was used to evaluate the presence of pathology, pulp obliteration, and root length. Similar recordings were obtained from the in situ tooth contralateral to the initial position of the grafted tooth. Criteria for determining treatment success were established. All patients responded to questions about their treatment using visual analogue scales. The mean age at surgery was 11.5 years, and the mean observation period was 26.4 years (range, 17-41 years). Of the 33 teeth transplanted in the 28 patients, 3 teeth were lost after 9, 10, and 29 years, respectively. Therefore, the 30 teeth in the 25 patients we examined yielded a survival rate of 90%. The success rate was 79% because 2 transplants had ankylosed, and 2 others failed to fulfill the proposed criteria. The patients generally responded very favorably regarding their perception of the treatment. Their only hesitation was related to some discomfort during surgery. It was concluded that survival and success rates for teeth autotransplanted when the root is partly developed compare favorably in a long-term perspective with other treatment modalities for substituting missing teeth.