Reinnervation of autotransplanted teeth. A histological investigation in monkeys.

The reinnervation of 8 autotransplanted teeth in 4 green vervet monkeys (Ceropithecus aethiops) was examined. The lateral maxillary incisors of each animal were extracted and transplanted to the contralateral side. The root formation was incomplete with an open apical foramen. The monkeys were killed 1, 2 or 4 months after transplantation and examined histologically by a S-100 monoclonal antibody staining. A few single nerve fibres could be seen 1 month after transplantation. After 2 months, several nerve bundles could be detected throughout the whole pulp. After 4 months, a larger number of nerve bundles, comparable to the densely innervated dental pulp of non-transplanted teeth, could be seen throughout the whole pulp.