The aim of this study was to evaluate survival and success rates following autotransplantation of permanent maxillary canine teeth. Sixty-three cases of maxillary canine autotransplantation from 49 subjects (mean age at transplantation 21.8 years, range 13–42.1 years) undertaken between 1977 and 2003 were collected as part of an audit project of transplantation success. All maxillary canines had complete root development at the time of transplantation. The sample was divided into two groups, a matched case–control study to compare 27 unilateral transplanted canines with the non-transplanted canine on the contralateral side, and all 63 transplanted canines with no controls. Teeth were assessed clinically using established criteria for success: tooth presence for survival and resorption, mobility, probing pocket depth (PPD), gingival bleeding, vitality, and colour. Radiographic investigation for success assessed internal and external inflammatory resorption (including the amount) bone levels and any signs of pathology. Data were described with descriptive statistics and analytical tests were used to assess frequencies of occurrence.

The survival rate was 83 per cent with an average duration of 14.5 years in situ. Thirty-eight per cent of the transplants were deemed successful. There were statistically significant associations between the transplanted and non-transplanted teeth in PPD (P = 0.006), gingival bleeding (P = 0.006), vitality (P = 0.004), and colour (P = 0.002).

Autotransplantation of impacted maxillary canines can be successful in the long term and may be indicated in selected cases. Although the rate for complete success in this study was low (no signs of resorption, mobility, and sound periodontal tissues), the survival rate can be considered favourable when evaluating autotransplantation as a treatment option for grossly malpositioned canines with little scope for orthodontic alignment.