LAUSR

INTRODUCTION The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the success, survival rate, and soft tissue esthetic of autotransplanted teeth. METHODS This study included patients with at least 1 tooth autotransplanted to the maxilla during childhood or adolescence. The autotransplantation technique included the removal of an immature tooth from a donor site and its placement in the maxilla as a replacement for a missing or extremely compromised tooth. The cases were properly restored to assure function and esthetic. To be considered successful, the tooth should be asymptomatic at the time of assessment, no pain to palpation and percussion, have no signs of apical periodontitis or sinus tract, have a periodontal probe ≤ 3, and have an absence of root resorption and development of at least 70% of the normal root. The esthetic evaluation of the soft tissue was based on the Pink Esthetic Score (PES) and graded as very unsatisfactory, unsatisfactory, poor, fair, good, or excellent. Data were statistically analyzed at a significance level of 5%. RESULTS Thirty-five patients (23 male and 12 female) had 43 anterior teeth replaced, including 42 central incisors and one lateral incisor. The follow-up period ranged from 1 year to 25 years. In regard to success and survival rate, 43 teeth were assessed; 34 cases (79.07%) were considered successful and 9 (20.93%) unsuccessful. Only 1 tooth was lost, and 42 teeth remained functional (survival rate 97.67%). In regard to the esthetic, 40 teeth could be assessed and were considered as excellent (30%), good (35%), fair (27.5%), and poor (7.5%); there were no reports of unsatisfactory or very unsatisfactory cases. CONCLUSIONS Tooth autotransplantation can be considered a valid procedure to replace lost teeth in the maxilla, presenting high survival and success rates. The overall esthetic of the patients was considered as satisfactory.