Clinical evaluation of allografts and homografts for restoration of missing tooth structure

The clinical performance of bonding human tooth fragments to either replace missing teeth or to restore defective teeth is unclear. Prospective studies can help to predict the success of such treatment options.

This study evaluated the feasibility of bonding tooth tissue homografts and allografts either to replace missing teeth or to restore defective teeth, and estimated the success rate of bonded allograft and homograft restorations 3 years after placement.

Twenty clinical cases were treated by bonding tooth fragments or crowns into 6 groups (Gp): Gp1, cervical erosion and abrasion lesions (6); Gp2, incisal edge fractures (4); Gp3, partially destroyed crowns (4); Gp4, teeth placed in a removable prosthesis (2); Gp5, missing tooth with no opposing tooth (2); and Gp6, temporary space maintenance (2). Restorations were examined using USPHS criteria every 2 months and whenever a patient called to report a failure.

After a 3-year follow-up, the overall success rate was 80% for the 20 restorations. The 95% confidence interval was 63% to 94%. Four restorations failed by debonding (Gp2 [2]; Gp5 [1]; Gp6 [1]) during the first 4 months. The main cause of failure appeared to be excessive occlusal loading.

Within the limitations of this clinical study, the results after a 3-year follow-up showed the success rate was not less than 63% for bonded allograft and homograft restorations.