Replantation After Dental Avulsion: A Scoping Review and Proposal of a Flow Chart

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ABSTRACT

Aim

Dental avulsion, the complete displacement of a tooth from its socket, is a severe dental trauma with a prevalence of 0.5% to 16% of all dental injuries. Replantation of avulsed teeth is common, yet recent studies show high failure rates and unpredictable long-term outcomes. This review examines clinical variables influencing intentional dental replantation decisions and proposes a treatment flow chart. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed-Medline, Scopus, WoS, and Cochrane databases using the keywords “tooth avulsion,” “tooth replantation,” and “tooth ankylosis.” Inclusion criteria encompassed studies from January 2018 to February 2024. From 752 identified articles, 9 systematic reviews including 3 meta-analyses were selected for this scoping review. Immediate replantation is the gold standard for avulsed teeth, yet delayed replantation is more common in practice, impacting survival rates. Adherence to guidelines from the International Association on Dental Traumatology improves outcomes, especially in paediatric patients. Factors such as multiple caries, severe periodontal disease, advanced age, psychological conditions, immunodeficiency, and lack of cooperation are contraindications for replantation. Despite the high failure rate, replantation remains recommended in literature due to its potential advantages over prosthetic implants. This review highlights the complexities in decision-making for dental replantation, emphasising the need for a comprehensive approach considering individual clinical cases. A proposed treatment flow chart aims to support clinicians in predicting prognosis and making informed decisions. The review also underscores the link between dental trauma, poor oral health, and potential neglect in children, highlighting the importance of preventive measures and parental awareness.

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