Tooth loss and survival analysis after traumatic injuries in primary dentition

Abstract

Background/Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the treatment options, survival rate of traumatized primary teeth and evaluate the factors influencing the outcome. Material and Methods: The sample consisted of all dental trauma cases treated over a 14 years period at the Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Dental Clinic of Vojvodina, Novi Sad. Criteria for inclusion in this study were: dental trauma to primary teeth and age in the moment of injury up to seven years. Dental trauma records were analyzed in order to obtain the following: gender and age of the child at the time of trauma, type of trauma, as well as the type and timing of treatment received. After data analysis a survival rate of traumatized primary teeth was evaluated. Results: The study was designed as retrospective and it included 225 children, with 346 traumatized primary teeth. The occurrence of trauma was higher in male patients (60,4%) and in children up to 4 years of age. Luxations were more frequent (72.8%) compared to isolated teeth fractures (20.8%), while the two types of injury combined were rare (6,3%). One year following dental trauma 231 teeth (0.67%) developed complications. Falls were the main cause of trauma (68.9%) and the presence of more than one traumatized tooth was frequent. A percentage of 48.8 children received dental care during first 24 h after the injury. Conclusions: Survival of injured primary teeth is relatively low, regardless of trauma type, time interval between injury and treatment and the type of provided treatment.