Autotransplantation of a tooth using guided tissue regeneration

Autotransplantation is an alternative treatment to replace missing or periodontally-involved hopeless teeth. A prerequisite for performing this procedure is having a recipient site with sufficient bone volume to support the transplant. Often, however, crestal bone resorption following tooth extraction or periodontitis results in a reduced alveolar ridge with inadequate dimensions to properly house the transplant. In these cases, the procedure is contraindicated. A case is presented in which the biologic principle of guided tissue regeneration was used to gain periodontal support around an autotransplanted 3rd molar. The results suggest the potential use of guided tissue regeneration in conjunction with autotransplantation. This may represent a new area in reconstructive dentistry.