Replantation of an inverted lower second premolar germ.

During the initial X-ray control of a 10-year-old female orthodontic patient, a late development and an inverted position of the lower left second premolar was seen. 4.3 years later the tooth with its follicle was replanted in the upright position, preserving the second deciduous molar; at that time the root development was at an early stage. At a follow-up control 4 years after the surgical procedure the replanted tooth had erupted and the sensibility response was normal. Its root, however, although completed, could not reach the length and especially the width (in the apical half) of the contralateral premolar. This relative reduction in width seems to follow a temporary thickening of that part of the root formed during the first period after replantation. The anamnestic data suggest that physiologic exfoliation of the deciduous molar took place.