Effects of different splinting times on surgically extruded teeth with a crown-root fracture: A randomized controlled...

Clinical studies evaluating the splinting time for surgically extruded teeth with crown-root fractures are lacking. The aim of this study was to compare 2-week splinting versus functional splinting times after surgical extrusion.

Children aged 8-13 years who presented with crown-root fractures were included. Surgical extrusion was performed, and teeth were splinted either for 2 weeks or until normal Periotest values were achieved (functional splinting time). The outcome measures were tooth mobility, tooth loss, root resorption, marginal bone resorption and ankylosis. Measurements were taken at baseline, weekly after splint removal, and after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months.

Nineteen patients were included in the analysis. Surgically extruded teeth splinted for 2 weeks showed significantly higher mobility directly after splint removal and at 1 month after splinting compared with the functional splinting time group. The mean differences for horizontal Periotest values were 14.96 (95% confidence interval: 8.52, 21.39) and 6.63 (95% confidence interval: 0.25, 13), respectively. The vertical Periotest values were 10.47 (95% confidence interval: 1.95, 18.99) and 4.81 (95% confidence interval: -1.57, 11.18), respectively. At the 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-up intervals, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups. One tooth in the 2-week splinting group was lost. None of the teeth had ankylosis, marginal bone resorption or root resorption.

Although both groups showed neither statistical nor clinically significant differences after 12 months, there was a significant difference immediately after splint removal, with greater tooth mobility in the 2-week splinting group. Thus, a functional splinting time (4-6 weeks) can be suggested for better healing and optimal stability to allow placement of the final restoration directly after splint removal.