Pulpal regeneration and root development after subcutaneous transplantation of cryopreserved immature teeth in rats

The purpose of this in vivo study was to investigate revascularization and root growth after autotransplantation of cryopreserved immature teeth. Immature molar teeth were extracted in 4-week-old Wistar rats. In the test group, teeth were cryopreserved for 1 week and transplanted subcutaneously to the abdomen. In the control group, teeth were transplanted subcutaneously immediately after extraction. Material was collected in test and control animals at intervals of 1, 2, 4 and 10 weeks post-transplantation and histological and microradiographical examination was performed. Results showed that during the first weeks after transplantation, pulpal repair was similar in both groups although degenerated pulpal tissue was replaced slower in cryopreserved teeth and some differences in types of hard tissue formation were found between test and control teeth. After 10 weeks, the differences in the regenerated pulpal tissue between cryopreserved and control teeth observed during the first weeks were no longer detectable. No root growth was detected microradiographically 10 weeks after transplantation in any of the transplanted teeth. The presence of dentin-like tissue in the pulp cavity of some autotransplanted cryopreserved teeth, suggests survival of pulpal tissue after cryopreservation.