Clinical evaluation of intra-alveolar transplantation of teeth with cervical root fractures

Transverse and oblique intra-alveolar fractures constitute a major therapeutic problem, particularly in young dentitions. Very few treatment alternatives apart from extraction have been available. This report is a clinical and roentgenological evaluation of a series of intra-alveolar transplantations which were carried out on 56 teeth with complicated crown-root fractures. The patients ranged in age from 9-33 years and were observed over a period of 4 years. Of the 8 teeth which had to be extracted due to further traumatic/prosthetic complications, 7 were retained for histologic examination. All teeth exhibited successful healing without ankylosis. In 12 per cent of the cases, unhealed resorptions could be observed within the apical area. Two to nine weeks post-operatively, endodontic and/or prosthetic treatment could be carried out, after which the teeth have continued to function well in terms of both aesthetics and performance. No negative effects in the adjacent teeth have been observed. Cases with multiple crown-root fractures and one case with internal resorption have been described. The intra-alveolar transplantation technique provides not only an alternative method of treatment, but also an opportunity for deep root injuries to be diagnosed.