Response of autotransplanted teeth to electric pulp testing

Objective. The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the results of third molar autotransplantation by using electric pulp testing (EPT) and to determine the correlation of EPT response and bone formation. Study Design. Fourteen patients with 22 transplanted teeth were studied. The patients had received autotransplantation of third molars and regularly came for follow-up on the third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth months. Postoperative clinical assessment included pain, inflammation of surrounding soft tissues, tooth mobility, and the EPT response. Periapical radiographs were subsequently evaluated during follow-up. The correlation between pulpal response to EPT and bone healing was analyzed. Results. Most of the teeth had normal mobility within 3 months, which corresponded to bone formation. Bone healing at the recipient sites completely occurred within 6 months, and more than 50% had lamina dura. The teeth with EPT response increased to 95% within 12 months. There was no significant association between the EPT response and bone formation. Conclusions. The EPT response subsequently increased with time, and it seemed to be unchanged after 1 year. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2002;94:249-55)