Intentional replantation for iatrogenic perforation of the furcation: a case report

Intentional replantation is an accepted endodontic procedure for treatment of teeth in which conventional surgical endodontic treatment is contraindicated. This article presents a rare case of intentional replantation of a mandibular molar that had severe periodontal destruction resulting from iatrogenic perforation of the furcation. A 17-month follow-up evaluation revealed an asymptomatic and functional tooth with no radiographic signs of pathosis. The favorable results obtained might be attributed to the preservation of the vitality of the periodontal ligament; the absence of damaging pressure during extraction; the minimal extraoral treatment time; the use of nonrigid splinting; and the immediate repair of the perforation during a one-visit endodontic procedure. The results obtained with this tooth may indicate the possibility of a successful surgical technique for this otherwise hopeless complication of endodontic therapy.