Replantion

Dental Traumatology 2008; 24: 120–123; doi: 10.1111/j.1600-9657.2006.00503.x

Replantation of an avulsed permanent maxillary incisor with an immature apex: report of a case
CASE REPORT
Andrew Paul Goldbeck1, Kevin Lee
Haney2
Departments of 1Endodontics and 2Pediatric
Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of
Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, USA

Abstract – A case is reported of the replantation of a maxillary incisor with an immature apex following a traumatic avulsion. A 14-month follow-up clinical examination revealed the patient to be asymptomatic, the tooth to be still functional, and a recall radiograph showed no evidence of renewed periradicular breakdown. The indications for, and limitations of, replantation of an avulsed permanent incisor with an immature apex are discussed.

Correspondence to: Andrew Goldbeck,
Department of Endodontics, College of
Dentistry, University of Oklahoma, PO Box
26901, Oklahoma City, OK 73190, USA
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone] e-mail: [e-mail]
Accepted 22 February, 2006

Avulsion or exarticulation refers to a traumatic injury that forces a tooth completely out of its socket. Tooth avulsion following a traumatic injury is comparatively rare, comprising 1–16% of traumatic injuries to the permanent dentition (1). Avulsion in the permanent dentition most commonly involves a single maxillary incisor and occurs most frequently during the age of 7–
10 years, while these teeth are still in the eruption process
(2). When avulsion of a tooth with a mature apex occurs, pulp necrosis should be anticipated and root canal therapy should be planned following the replantation of the tooth. In contrast, when an avulsed tooth with an immature apex is replanted within 3 h, a chance for pulpal revascularization exists and root canal therapy can be delayed (1). Long-term retention of an avulsed tooth is related to the condition of the periodontal ligament (PDL) at the time of