Clinical and subjective success of tooth fragment reattachment: a case series

This case series reports on the clinical and subjective success of tooth fragment reattachment in 2 girls and 2 boys aged 8 to 11 years (mean age of 9.5 years). A total of 7 fractured maxillary central incisors were evaluated, and 5 were treated with tooth fragment reattachment. One of the teeth undergoing the reattachment procedure had a complicated fracture, and 4 had uncomplicated fractures. The period of follow-up ranged from 9 months to 4 years. During the follow-up examinations, the restorations were evaluated clinically and radiographically to verify the position and stability of the dental fragment and signs of endodontic pathosis. The restorations were evaluated clinically according to the Ryge (US Public Health Service) criteria. The oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) was the subjective outcome, assessed through the Oral Health Impact Profile-Aesthetic (OHIP-Aes) questionnaire, which was completed before and after treatment. The perceived clinical changes were a small gap, marginal discoloration, or slight color change in 3 of the teeth. In 4 teeth the periodontium and periapical region remained normal, and 1 tooth presented a periapical lesion requiring endodontic treatment. The mean (SD) OHIP-Aes scores were 25.25 (7.14) pretreatment and 3.75 (3.30) posttreatment. The results of this case series suggest that tooth fragment reattachment is an effective, conservative technique that has good long-term clinical outcomes and can improve the patient's OHRQoL.