The use of 3D additive manufacturing technology in autogenous dental transplantation

BACKGROUND: In medicine and dentistry, 3D technology allows the virtual planning and printing of surgical replicas of anatomical structures that can facilitate certain transplant procedures. In dentistry, 3D technology is useful in autogenous tooth transplantation. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a clinical case of an ectopic mandibular second premolar, describing the preoperative planning with dental replicas and the autotransplantation surgery. 3D prints of the surgical replica of the tooth to be transplanted was made using an Objet30 Prime® Printer, PolyJet. Clinical controls performed at 3, 6 and 12 months indicated the satisfactory evolution of the transplanted tooth. CONCLUSION: 3D additive manufacturing technology allows the preparation of a new recipient socket with the aid of a surgical replica of the tooth to be transplanted, thus minimizing handling and extraoral time.