Management of lateral luxation injury in a 3½-year-old boy

Abstract

This case report documents the trauma and follow-up care of lateral luxation injury of upper central incisors in a 3½-year-old boy. Traumatic dental injuries in children occur very frequently and lateral luxation is a kind of injury in which the tooth is displaced in either labial or palatal/lingual direction. Lateral luxation injuries are one of the most severe periodontal injuries in dental trauma. A correct diagnosis followed by repositioning of the tooth in the right position is fundamental to the periodontal ligament healing. A 3½-year-old boy reported with a fall on his upper front tooth while laying at home and his upper central incisors got laterally luxated. The teeth were repositioned by digital pressure subsequently, on finding necrotic changes pulpectomy was performed in 51 and 61. Clinical and radiographic follow-up of 7 months is presented showing uneventful healing. Immediate repositioning along with occlusal relief, endodontic management, and proper follow-up with adequate patient engagement can be considered for treating lateral luxation injury.

Keywords

• digital repositioning
• lateral luxation
• trauma
• traumatic dental injuries