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An unusual healing of a replanted permanent lateral incisor
1Dental Health Services, Perth, Western Australia. parrow@ozemail.com.au
Background:
Continued development and healing of an immature permanent tooth root was reported to have occurred. The continued viability of Hertwig's root sheath was thought to be necessary and responsible. Continued development of a tooth root separate from the body of the tooth was reported, but the initiation and development associated with a replanted tooth was not observed.
Methods:
A 9-year-old boy sustained an avulsion injury to his upper right lateral incisor. The tooth was replanted within 5-10 minutes of the incident and was splinted approximately 30 minutes after the injury, and then monitored for 2.25 years.
Results:
The periodontal tissues healed well. Root development was arrested with calcific deposit evident in the pulp canal. A radio-opaque structure, apical to the tooth root, was seen to develop on the radiograph 11 weeks after the initial trauma. The opaque mass continued to develop over the next two years of observation.
Conclusions:
Immature permanent tooth roots show remarkable reparative powers. Clinicians need to be vigilant and close continued monitoring of traumatized immature teeth is recommended.
