The effect of splinting upon periodontal and pulpal healing after autotransplantation of mature and immature permanent incisors in monkeys.

The effect of splinting upon periodontal and pulpal healing after autotransplantation of teeth with complete and incomplete root formation was studied in 16 green Vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops). 2 maxillary incisors were extracted in each monkey and autotransplanted to the contralateral socket. One of these teeth was stabilized with an acrylic splint for either 2 or 6 weeks, while the other incisor was non-splinted. The animals were sacrificed 8 weeks after autotransplantation and the autotransplanted teeth were examined histologically. The following histologic parameters were registered for each tooth: surface resorption, inflammatory resorption, replacement resorption (ankylosis), downgrowth of pocket epithelium, periapical inflammatory changes and extent of pulp necrosis. The histometric analysis demonstrated that splinting increased the extent of pulp necrosis and inflammatory root resorption compared to non-splinting. Furthermore, the extent of normal periodontium was decreased among the splinted teeth, when compared to the non-splinted teeth. It is concluded that splinting not only failed to improve healing but apparently exerted a harmful effect upon periodontal and pulpal healing after autotransplantation.