Segmental alveolar process fracture involving primary incisors: treatment and 24-month follow up

Abstract

Alveolar process fractures are particularly complicated by the developing jaws, the presence of tooth germs and the eruption of permanent teeth. The present report describes the management and 24-month follow up of a segmental mandibular alveolar process fracture involving laterally luxated primary incisors. A 5-year-old boy was admitted to the clinic 3 h after a fall accident, which resulted in the fracture of the mandibular alveolar process with substantial dislodgement of the buccal cortical bone and right primary incisors. Emergency treatment consisted of fracture reduction in the dislodged bone and repositioning of the primary incisors, followed by placement of a semi-rigid splint between mandibular canines and suturing of soft-tissue lacerations. The splints were removed at the end of week 3, and the affected primary incisors remained asymptomatic until natural exfoliation. At 24 months, Eruption of the permanent successors was almost complete in the absence of any sequel from prior trauma.