Evaluation of primary teeth affected by dental trauma in patients visiting a university clinic, part 2: dental injury types, treatment strategies, and complications

Abstract

Objectives: This article focuses on treatments and complications in patients presenting dental trauma in primary teeth. Treatment alternatives begin with the decision of performing a procedure under clinical settings or pharmacological techniques (PC) in young children. Correct diagnosis and treatment are crucial to maximize the chances of a favorable outcome.

Materials and methods: The files of 320 patients aged 0-9 years who presented to the Erciyes University Faculty of Dentistry Department for dental trauma management in primary teeth were evaluated in between 2018 and 2021 for 3-year period. The following information were extracted from patients' records: injury type, affected teeth, caries condition of the teeth, treatment preferences of the dentists. Additionally postoperative complications and their management were evaluated.

Results: While 63.1% of the traumatized teeth were caries-free, 35.8% of the teeth had caries. The most frequent dental injuries was simple crown fractures (42.9%), followed by complicated crown fractures (38.5%). Treatments were mostly done in clinical conditions (67.9%) and mostly patients attend regularly to follow-up visits (85.6%). Clinicians prefer more radical treatments under sedation or GA (92.4% extraction of injured tooth). Coronal discoloration was the most common complication, and 35.3% had pulp necrosis for longer term results.

Conclusion: Follow-up decisions made after concussion in the primary teeth might be appropriate for the patient. Examination of the complication status of primary teeth with simple crown fracture injury revealed that 59.5% of patients did not have any complications. Follow-up decisions were found to be appropriate for crowns with coloration alone.

Clinical relevance: All options should be considered to provide the best care for children after primary tooth trauma; this can be achieved by being informed about the treatment and its consequences, and if necessary, a positive prognosis can be achieved with an interdisciplinary approach.

Keywords: Deciduous teeth; Postoperative complications; Treatment; Wounds and injuries.