Abstract
The impaction of maxillary canines is a spread condition, with a prevalence in females. The treatment necessity is mainly related to the aesthetic and functional roles played by these teeth, but also to the possible development of sequelae over time. The gold standard in pediatric patients is the interceptive treatment, but in adults, orthodontic treatment might not be indicated and autotransplantation, when possible, may provide the best solution.
A 30-year-old female patient with bilateral upper canine impaction had interceptive and orthodontic treatment, succeeding only in rehabilitation of element 1.3, while 2.3 remained impacted. Due to the previous orthodontic failure, treatment times and costs, the autotransplantation was performed to manage the impacted canine.
In adult patients the management of upper canine impaction cannot always be finalized by orthodontic or surgical-orthodontic treatment. In such cases, autotransplantation represents a successful choice. It involves atraumatic surgical removal of the donor tooth from its impaction or ectopic site, the creation of the receiving socket, and the transplantation. Its success is determined by different factors, mainly the presence of healthy periodontal ligament cells on the root surface, the root formation stage and its splinting once replanted.
Autotransplantation of an impacted tooth is a well-documented and successful technique, which can be considered as a valid solution for both functional and aesthetic aspects for the management of impacted and, or ectopic maxillary canines when the orthodontic treatment is not practicable.
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