Applicability of autotransplantation in cases of missing upper anterior teeth

No immunologic problems are involved in autotransplantation, as they are in allotransplantation. One is justified in stating that the prognosis for autotransplantation of teeth is favorable, at least in young persons. In this report six cases are presented to demonstrate that autotransplantation can contribute to more satisfactory solutions to the problem of missing anterior teeth than can otherwise be achieved. It is difficult to form general rules regarding the indications for autotransplantation in such cases. Each case must be assessed on its own premises: the substitution need, the availability of a transplant, the long-term prognosis, and the advantages and disadvantages of a solution with autotransplantation versus solutions without autotransplantation. It should be admitted that the applicability of autotransplantation is limited. However, the therapist who realizes that the applicability in young patients is primarily a question of the availability of transplants may find that this is greater than he has previously realized.