Development of a tooth germ within an autogenous clavicular graft

The left side of the mandible distal to the second primary molar of a 3 years old Southern Chinese boy was resected as a result of osteomyelitis. A diaphyseal clavicular graft pedicled on the sternomastoid muscle was selected for the reconstruction of the mandible. By the age of 6 years, the mandible although stunted in size did exhibit appropriate remodelling. In addition a tooth germ in the region of the second permanent molar was found developing in the autogenous bone graft of the mandible.