Autotransplantation

What is it?

• A missing tooth can be replaced with an implant or bridge, but also with one of your own teeth.

• This tooth should be one that you can afford to lose, such as a wisdom tooth.

• After transplantation, the tooth will reattach. Since it’s your own tooth, the bone and gum tissue will grow neatly around it again.

When do I need this treatment?

• If you have a missing tooth and when an implant or bridge is not a suitable option.

What can I expect from the treatment?

1. Gathering Information We will perform a thorough examination, take photos, and conduct a 3D scan.

2. Preparing the mouth For this treatment, it is essential that the mouth is in optimal health. If it is not, we will assist you with achieving this. Sometimes, the area where the donor tooth will be placed may not have the right dimensions; in such cases, braces can help create additional space if necessary.

3. Preparing the tooth A tooth that you wish to transplant needs a root canal treatment if this has not been done already. Braces can also help to loosen the tooth a bit.

4. Moving the tooth After anesthesia, a small incision is made in the gums, and some bone is removed to create space for the donor tooth. The donor tooth is then carefully extracted and almost immediately placed into the previously created space. The tooth is secured in place with a stitch or a splint, so that it can reattach.

5. Aftercare The tooth may not be in the correct position immediately. Once possible, typically after a few weeks, a bracket will be placed on the tooth, and it will be integrated into the braces. The tooth will then gradually shift into the correct position. Adjustments to the shape of the transplanted tooth may be necessary, but this can only be done once it is fully reattached.

What are the costs? The costs depend on many factors.

To give you an idea of the expenses, below is an example for the relocation of a wisdom tooth:

Background information and costs

In dental care, we work with fixed rates established annually by the Dutch Healthcare Authority. This includes a list of codes and descriptions that correspond to different components of a treatment.

The total cost of a treatment is the sum of these components, each with a fixed maximum rate.

You can find the complete list of all codes at: https://www.mondzorgkosten.nl/tandartscodes

Did you know?

When a tooth erupts, its root is not yet fully formed. After it erupts, the root gradually matures and closes. If you transplant a tooth with an incompletely formed root, a root canal treatment is not necessary. The open root tip (apex) allows blood vessels and nerves to grow back in, keeping the tooth alive and sensitive to hot and cold, just like a natural tooth.

Teeth continue to shift throughout your life, meaning a transplanted tooth will grow along with you. In contrast, an implant is fixed in place, which is why we typically avoid implants for younger patients. Over time, a noticeable difference can develop between natural teeth and an implant.

For these reasons, autotransplantation is especially suitable for younger patients. For example, if someone loses a front tooth at the age of 12, an implant is not a good solution due to the expected growth of the teeth and jaws. A bridge is also not recommended, as it requires altering the healthy adjacent teeth. Often, a partial denture becomes the only option, which can be quite distressing for teenagers.

Instead, a healthy small molar with an open root tip is often chosen to be relocated to the spot of the missing front tooth. After reshaping, it transforms into a living front tooth that can last a lifetime.