Extraoral root lengthening with titanium screws

The aim of the present study was to experimentally evaluate marginal and periapical healing in extracted and subsequently replanted teeth following extraoral cementing of apically exposed titanium root screws in the root canal. In 5 out of 6 replanted teeth, the periodontal tissues had healed with a normal periodontal membrane or healed surface resorptions indicating that only minor trauma had been inflicted during the extraoral procedure. In 3 out of 6 teeth, total or partial osseointegration of the titanium screws was seen, while a connective tissue capsule had formed around the remaining 3 screws. It was concluded that both of the healing results described in the present study, osseointegration and connective capsule formation, may be regarded as acceptable as long as inflammation is prevented, although it remains to be shown which one represents the end-point.