A N KY LOS I S
TION ANKLYOSIS AND
THE REQUIREMENTS
AUTOTRANSPLANTATION
NEEDED FOR
One option that I have previously
AUTOTRANSPLANTATION?
written about is the use of
The harvested tooth needs to have a
autotransplantation to manage these
root length that is two-thirds to fully
young patients. Autotransplantion is
developed and have an open apex.
a procedure that utilizes the patient’s
This will provide the most predictable
own teeth, typically the mandibular
transplant for retaining vitality as
second premolar, as a replacement
well as having continued root
for missing anterior teeth by extraction
development. Generally, the patient
and re-implantation. The transplanted
that has a mandibular second premolar
tooth can then serve as an esthetic
that meets these criteria is typically
and functional replacement for the
between the ages of 10-12. (Figure 2)
patient. The major concern for most dentists is: how predictable is this type of treatment? A 2002 paper from the Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop (Czochrowska EM, et al.) entitled Outcome of Tooth Transplanation: Survival and Success
Figure 2
Rates 17-41 Years Post-treatment showed a 90% survival rate (with a mean observation time of 26 years). By comparison with other treatment options, this is an extremely favorable outcome. However, it must be stated that the success rates is highly dependent on the skill and experience of the surgeon performing transplantations. I have been fortunate to work with Dr. Jim Janakievski in Tacoma, WA whom I consider to be one of the world experts in the area.
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