Success of a tooth auto-transplant despite delayed endodontic treatment due to COVID-19 pandemic lock-down: a case report

Abstract

Auto-transplantation has been suggested to be a favourable treatment option in comparison to prosthodontic
replacements. Studies have shown an average survival rate of 89.1% for auto-transplanted teeth. This article
aims to report a successful third molar auto-transplantation, despite delayed endodontic treatment because of
movement control order (MCO) imposition following COVID-19 out-break in Malaysia. A 22-year-old female
patient’s impacted lower left third molar (38) was used as a donor to replace her lower left second molar (37),
which was deemed non-restorable due to caries and root resorption as a result of impinging pressure from the
impacted adjacent third molar. Successful outcome and uneventful healing were achieved over a period of one
year, despite delayed endodontic treatment following auto-transplantation. A favourable auto-transplant can
be achieved despite delayed endodontic treatment post-transplantation, if the procedure is performed in a good
aseptic environment and bacterial load is controlled at the site.
KEYWORDS
Covid-19; Dental pulp; Endodontics; Lockdown; Root canal therapy; Third molars.