A retrospective study of traumatic dental injuries in primary dentition: treatment outcomes of splinting

Abstract

Objective: Splinting in primary dentition is limited to several traumatic dental injuries. The prognosis associated with splint use has not been fully investigated. In this study, we investigated the outcomes of traumatic injuries in primary teeth treated with splinting.

Materials and methods: We retrospectively analysed 137 children with root fractures and lateral and extrusive luxation injuries to their primary teeth who were treated with semi-rigid splints between 2010 and 2016. Treatment outcomes were analysed in patients with follow-up periods of >6 months. The outcomes of splinting were based on clinical and radiographic evaluations performed during follow-up examinations.

Results: In total, 182 primary teeth were examined, and of these, 90 teeth were treated using semi-rigid splints. In the splint group, pathological root resorption (31.1%) was the most common complication, whereas pathological tooth loss (25.0%) was found most common in the observation group. Splinting in root fractures showed a good prognosis, whereas in lateral and extrusive luxations, it did not (p < .05). There were no relationship between treatment delay and prognosis (p > .05).

Conclusions: Depending on the type of luxation, splint therapy results in acceptable outcomes and may be a feasible treatment option.

Keywords: Splints; luxation injury; primary dentition; traumatic dental injury.