Autotransplantation: The Vital Option for Replacement of Missing Anterior Teeth in the Developing Dentition

Missing multiple anterior teeth presents a tremendous challenge for the dental team. There are several options for successful replacement or masking of the missing teeth, including orthodontic space closure, fixed or removable prosthetics, osseointegrated dental implants, and tooth autotransplantation. Often these modalities must be combined to obtain the best esthetic and functional results. An 11.5-year-old girl sustained loss of her permanent central incisors and right lateral incisor teeth, and in addition sustained a comminuted maxilla fracture with loss of the buccal plate during a horseback riding accident. Using autotransplantation and orthodontic space closure, an esthetic and functional outcome with vital teeth was achieved. The collaboration of a multispecialty dental team is essential for challenging cases such as the one presented. The use of autotransplantation provided our patient with early definitive tooth replacement, and is the only replacement option to provide vital teeth. Autotransplantation should be considered in the treatment options for missing anterior teeth in the developing dentition.