Abstract
This cross-sectional survey was carried out to ascertain the prevalence of fractured incisors in 11–12-year-olds. In addition we explored the relationship with overjet, incompetent lips, incisor inclination and to determine if there was any association with ethnicity and gender. All permanent incisors were examined in 672 children comprising 356 females (53.1%) and 315 males (46.9%). The sample comprised 11–12-year-olds in high schools across Trinidad and Tobago. Statistical analysis was undertaken using Chi-square test, independent t-test, and binary logistic regression. The prevalence of fractured incisors was 18.9%. Boys presented with an increased incidence of fractured incisors than girls. 86.3% of dental trauma was untreated. The average overjet of subjects with fractured incisors was 4.2 mm. 18.62% of subjects with fractured incisors had incompetent lips. The most common malocclusion (18.81%) with fractured incisors was class 2 division 1. The Afro-Trinidadian ethnicity had the highest prevalence of fractured incisors (11.0%) when compared to mixed ethnicities, which was statistically significant. Maxillary central incisors were the most commonly injured teeth. Most patients delayed in seeking dental treatment for fractured incisors in our population. Early orthodontic treatment is recommended to help reduce the risk of dental trauma.
Highlights
Oral injuries are the fourth most common area of bodily injuries among 7–30-year-old individuals [1]
Orthodontic treatment is recommended to help reduce the risk of dental trauma
The prevalence of fractured incisors in 11–12-year-old school children in Trinidad and Tobago was 18.9%. This is comparable to another study in the Caribbean on Dominican school children which found a prevalence of 18.1% [13] and in the United States which found a prevalence of 18% [14]
Summary
Oral injuries are the fourth most common area of bodily injuries among 7–30-year-old individuals [1]. Dental trauma (traumatic dental injury) results from an impact to the teeth and/or other hard and soft tissues within and around the vicinity of the mouth and oral cavity [2]. These injuries are common in certain groups, no individual is ever at zero risk through their activities of daily living [2]. It is a serious condition among young children as dental injuries result in aesthetic, and functional problems involving the maxilla and mandible. Dental trauma presents as a public health problem and in some countries where caries have decreased, it can be considered the major risk to the anterior teeth [3,4]
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