Treatment of traumatic dental injuries in children

The major emphasis of this review should rest on articles written within the past 12 months. Many of these papers comprise comprehensive surveys of treatment of various aspects of dental trauma in the primary and permanent dentition, as well as epidemiological studies. There have also been some very good experimental studies which have attempted to standardize luxation injuries as well as tooth replantation in order to study pulpal and periodontal healing in reproducible animal models. However, it can be seen from the reference list that one year's production in dental traumatology would not suffice to cover the scope of the treatment needs nor to adequately orient the reader on the progress made with respect to our present knowledge of wound healing following injury and the most recent developments in the restoration of the traumatized dentition. To present an overall view of the philosophy which has evolved concerning wound healing in the dental pulp and periodontium following injury as well as innovations in the treatment of acute dental trauma, this review must of necessity delve back into the mid-80's and probe forward into publications which are on the way in 1991. In 1984, in Dallas, Texas, the American Association of Endodontists' Endowment and Memorial Foundation convened the first International Conference on Oral Trauma. In 1989, in Stockholm, Sweden, this was followed up with the second International Conference on Dental Trauma. The one-day program summarized the state of the art of dental traumatology with respect to various aspects of epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention as well as the biological principles which form a basis for our present knowledge about healing and healing complications in the pulp and periodontium after traumatic dental injuries. The proceedings from this conference have been compiled in a newly published volume. Where applicable, these presentations have been cited as current reviews. It could also be mentioned that at the conclusion of the second conference, in recognition of the need to promote research and propagate knowledge in the area of dental traumatology, the International Association of Dental Trauma (IADT) was founded. The third International Conference on Dental Trauma was convened in Copenhagen, Denmark, June 1991. The major theme was restoration of the traumatized dentition. Proceedings from this conference are to be published. However, new information from that program is also cited in the following where applicable. Finally, the second Charlotte Conference on Pathobiology of the Dentin/Pulp Complex was held in Charlotte, North Carolina in May 1991.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)