Historical Insights on Intentional Replantation for Tooth Retention Contrasted with Contemporary Practices

The use of intentional replantation procedures to retain compromised teeth has a long and tortuous history of trial and error, doubt and conviction. Even in contemporary times there are both advocates and opponents to the use of this procedure, often citing it as a "last resort to retain the teeth." This article will look at the pros and cons of this technique as indicated by both our forefathers in the pertinent literature on this subject over the past 200+ years and present-day proponents of its routine use.