Tooth autotransplantations - lessons from animal models: A review

Abstract

Autotransplantation of teeth is the most natural technique to for replacing missing teeth in exposed parts of the dental arch. Reports from human patients indicate great progress toward successful transplantations. However, complications such as inflammation and ankylosis still occur. To understand regenerative processes after autotransplantations, several animal models have been used (monkeys, rodents, rabbits, cats and dogs) and histological/molecular methods have been established. This review aims to summarise knowledge from animal models and discuss their advantages or disadvantages with respect to possible usage in research.