Our surgeons can move a tooth from one location to another location in the mouth of that same patient, a process also called autotransplantation.
Autotransplantation, otherwise known as autogenous tooth transplantation, is the surgical movement of a tooth from one location in an individual’s mouth to another location in their mouth. For autotransplantation of a tooth to be successful, the conditions must be just right, but in the hands of experienced oral surgeons like Drs. Roden and Alling, excellent aesthetic and functional results can be achieved. We have achieved high success rates for tooth replacement using autotransplantation, and our team will work hard to make sure your surgical experience is smooth and comfortable and offers optimal, long-term results.
The procedure for tooth transplantation is much the same as simple tooth extraction, and local anesthesia in conjunction with some form of sedation is often sufficient to keep our patients comfortable. The obvious advantage of autotransplantation is that an implant-supported tooth replacement or another form of prosthetic tooth replacement is not needed to restore a missing or misaligned tooth. In addition, autotransplantation is inexpensive compared to other permanent replacements such as a dental implant and can be performed on younger patients whereas dental implants are typically reserved for patients over 18 years of age.
Successful transplantation depends on several factors, but most importantly, the patient must have a good site in the mouth for the transplant with adequate jaw bone support as well as soft tissue and a high-quality donor tooth that can be extracted without complication. Most commonly, autotransplanting of teeth occurs when a natural molar is damaged due to decay or other factors and is unrestorable to the point that it requires a replacement. In cases such as these, an existing third molar (wisdom tooth) is removed and transferred to the site of the damaged molar. Canines and other teeth can also be transplanted using autotransplantation.
Conditions in which transplantation can be considered include
If you are interested in learning about how autotransplantation can permanently replace a lost or misaligned tooth, we encourage you to come in for a consultation appointment, where your candidacy for autotransplantation will be determined, and a treatment plan will be created for you. If you would like to discuss other permanent tooth restoration alternatives such as dental implants, we will be happy to discuss these options with you as well.
Please feel free to contact us with any of your questions about our procedures or services. Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with the outstanding oral surgery care we are known for at our welcoming Birmingham, Alabama, practice.
