TRAUMATIC INJURIES OF THE PRIMARY DENTITION PRESENTED IN AN UNIVERSITARY EMERGENCY SERVICE

Abstract

Objective. To asses the frequency and distribution of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) in primary teeth (PT) in patients treated at a pediatric dental emergency service. Material and method. Retrospective study on 425 patients (229 boys) aged 1-6 years, referred to Pedododntics Department, Carol Davila University Bucharest, over a year. The prevalence and distribution of TDI according to age, sex, number of affected teeth, topography and type of trauma, time to presentation were evaluated. Results. Prevalence of TDI was 8.1%, boys (60%) being SS more affected (p <0.05). Children under the age of 3 were the most affected (40.5%) followed by children aged 4 (24.5%). 54% of patients had periodontal injuries (54%), most patients having affected at least 2 PT. Maxillary front teeth were most affected (SS, p <0.05). Almost 1/3 were luxations, followed by subluxations (¼). 40% of patients presented during 12 hours after the trauma. Conclusions. TDI in PT represent a pediatric emergency, therefore the persons concerned (parents, educators, pediatricians) must be correctly informed about the necessity of early treatment.

Keywords

• emergency
• traumatic dental and periodontal injury
• primary dentition