Latest trends in clinical orthodontics
Tooth autotransplantation: Is it archaic?
Dr. Stephen Tjoa
Dr. Stephen Tjoa completed dental school at the ACTA in The Netherlands in 1998 and attended the University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine in Philadelphia, USA from 2001-2005 where he completed his certi?cate in Orthodontics and Masters in Oral Biology. Currently, he maintains a private practise in Rotterdam and is the attending orthodontist of the Craniofacial team at the Sophia Children's Hospital (Erasmus MC)
"Severe tooth loss and edentulism were one of the leading ten causes of Years Lived with Disability (YLD) in some high-income countries" (key facts on oral health WHO 2018). To resolve tooth loss, Apfel, Fong and Hale proposed to transplant teeth (1950-1955). Fast forward 65 years, we have many predictable and man-made solutions but none of these have the potential to adapt to growth or developmental changes. Tooth autotransplantation is a surgical procedure which is cost-e?ective and predictable. Above all, transplanted teeth have to potential accommodate growth and even create bone.
