Hope for a hopeless tooth – Intentional reimplantation- A case report

Aim: Maintaining the integrity of the natural dentition is the central goal of dentistry. Intentional re-implantation is defined as intentional removal of tooth and reinsertion into extraction socket before or after endodontic treatment. It aims at most conservative option that satisfies individual esthetic and functional requirements while retaining the natural teeth and smile. Materials and Methods: The patient was examined and subjected to periapical radiograph. After completion of phase I therapy and root canal treatment, intentional re-implantation was done in a traumatized and grade III mobile right central incisor. Tooth was splinted with fiber reinforced resin splint and patient was placed in a maintenance recall program. Results: The patient was clinically and radiographically monitored for 1year with follow-up radiographs showing the tooth in the alveoli without sign of ankylosis or re-implantation resorption. Conclusion: Intentional re-implantation of the same tooth can be done when the patient want to retain natural dentition instead of going for artificial prosthesis. It provides an alternative treatment option, instead of extraction for a tooth with hopeless prognosis.