Histologic study of tooth transplantation in the rabbit.

Tooth transplantation between preimmunized unrelated mismatched animals appears to induce the same immunologic problems that appear in the grafting of other organs. Such transplants showed more inflammatory root resorption and ankylosis and less reattachment of periodontal ligaments than did allografts between compatible animals. It appears that transferring the teeth to the similar side, suturing the gingival soft tissue around the teeth, splinting the transplanted teeth, and antibiotic therapy improve results by minimizing the effects of surgical procedures and trauma. Surgical trauma is confirmed as an important factor, along with immunogenetic differences between donor and recipient, in determining the outcome of tooth transplantation.