Tooth survival following various methods of sub-apical osteotomy

Abstract

Color, firmness, radiographic change and thermal and electrical tests were employed to judge the quality of tooth survival following sub-apical osteotomy. Twenty-eight procedures were carried out on 24 patients putting 237 teeth at risk. Ten of these procedures were carried out in the incisor-canine region of the mandible by labial flap reflection. In the maxilla 3 Wassmund procedures were carried out, as well as a further 6 Wassmund procedures with the addition of a mid-line sagittal split and 9 Wunderer procedures. The period of follow-up varied from 6 months to 3 years. A total of 53 teeth which were adjacent to the site of section and undamaged at operation, survived unchanged. At first the 181 transposed teeth did not respond to stimulation, but 177 of these later returned to normal functional and esthetic value. No significant difference could be detected in the quality of survival of the teeth in the different procedures used. It is concluded that unpredictable tooth loss is unlikely as a result of any of the sub-apical osteotomy procedures used here.