The effects of different splinting times on replantation of teeth in monkeys.

The purpose of the study was to examine histologically the tissue changes affecting the teeth and surrounding structures after using both 7- and 30-day fixation periods on replanted teeth in monkeys. Eight adult male rhesus monkeys were used. The maxillary central and lateral incisors were extracted, treated endodontically, reimplanted, and temporarily immobilized with an interproximal acid-etch splint. The splints were removed at 1 week in half of the teeth and at 30 days in the other half. The monkeys were killed at 7 and 14 days, and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 months postoperatively. The results showed that replanted teeth that were splinted for 7 days recovered uneventfully, whereas the teeth that were splinted for 30 days demonstrated increased areas of root resorption and ankylosis. Thus, it is suggested that after tooth replantation the periodontium will repair rapidly with a shorter time of splinting (7 days). Extended splinting periods (30 days) seem to induce further root resorption and dentoalveolar ankylosis.