Vital root retention in humans: a preliminary report.

With increasing experience in the technique, it has become apparent that more generous contouring of the retained root after amputation is desirable. The effect is to produce a more rounded ridge instead of the "boxy" one that would result from mere horizontal sectioning of the crown structure. The surgical sectioning of vital teeth, followed by anequate mucoperiosteal eversion suturing, has proved to be successful. Periodontal evaluation of each tooth seems to be paramount to success or failure. Accurate impression-making and postsurgical treatment including soft acrylic resin relines and removal of pressure spots appear to be next in importance. Age of the patient, condition of the clinical crowns, and length of surgical procedures did not seem to affect normal healing in the patients involved in the project.