Primary canine auto-transplantation: a new surgical technique.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the growth of soft tissue and bone in children with traumatic tooth loss or agenesis of teeth can be developed reliably, using a new technique of autogenous primary canine transplant. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 10 patients (age range, 7-13 years) were treated either for trauma or for agenesis (n = 14 primary canine transplants). In addition to the clinical examination, patients were subjected to radiologic examinations with regard to root resorption, bone height, and soft tissue level. RESULTS: With an average survival rate of 87%, the average survival time of the transplants using the Kaplan-Meier estimator was 5.2 years. In all cases, soft tissue and bone growth was effectively developed. CONCLUSIONS: Autogenous primary canine transplant is a reliable surgical method for rehabilitating children in the early mixed dentition after traumatic tooth loss, enabling adequate soft tissue and bone growth.