Evaluation of tooth-fragment reattachment: a clinical and laboratory study

To evaluate the restoration of fractured teeth by reattaching tooth fragment to its tooth remnant in a group of children and adolescents, and to compare the results with those of a laboratory study.

The clinical study was conducted on 43 fractured incisors: 22 uncomplicated crown fractures (Group A) and 21 complicated crown fractures (Group B). The 43 incisal fragments: 23 were kept dry for 47 h and 20 were kept wet for 24 h by the patients before they were reattached. The fragments were kept in 0.9% saline solution for 30 min before reattachment. The fragments in Group A were reattached using a dentin bonding agent, a flowable and a hybrid resin composite, whereas the fragments in Group B were reattached to the tooth remnant after a pulpotomy was performed. The laboratory study was conducted on 56 extracted incisors. Teeth were divided equally into four groups: Group I - Uncomplicated crown fracture + wet medium; Group II - Uncomplicated crown fracture + dry medium; Group III - Complicated crown fracture + wet medium, and Group IV - Complicated crown fracture + dry medium. The fragments were then reattached in a manner that was similar to that used in the clinical study. The restored teeth were then re-fractured. All data were analyzed statistically.

In the clinical study, the restored teeth were followed up for 2 years. Neither the type of trauma nor the storage medium had any significant effect on the survival, color, and bond strength of the restored teeth when assessed in the clinical and laboratory study. The color disharmony that was encountered initially in restored teeth resolved significantly on its own accord within 12 months after reattachment of the fragment.

Fragment reattachment can be used to treat fractured teeth successfully in children and adolescents.