A retrospective study of intrusive injuries in primary dentition

The aim was to evaluate epidemiological aspects of intrusive injuries in primary teeth, extent and severity of injuries, provided treatment, and complications to the primary and permanent dentition.

This was a retrospective study based on the clinical and radiographic data of 102 intruded teeth in 70 patients. Follow-up period varied from 6 months to 6 years, with the mean time of 2.7 +/- 1.5 years. Data were collected through dental files and dental trauma forms. The following parameters were analyzed at control examinations: rate of spontaneous re-eruption, presence of complications, time elapsed between the injury and complication, and possible sequels on permanent successors.

Mean age of the patients was 2.5 +/- 1.3 years. Fifty-six children were injured because of the fall while walking or running. Most of children had one intruded tooth. Maxillary central incisors were the most frequently injured teeth. Seventy injured teeth were <2 mm intruded. Mean time elapsed from the injury until the professional help was 45.0 +/- 67.3 h. Within 2 months after trauma, 48 intruded teeth re-erupted spontaneously. Crown discoloration occurred in 10 intruded teeth, pulp necrosis was diagnosed in nine cases and pathologic root resorption was found in five injured teeth.

The most common mechanism of injury was fall. Spontaneous re-eruption occurred in the majority of intruded primary teeth. In comparison with moderate or severe intrusions, mildly intruded teeth took less time to re-erupt. Mildly intruded teeth exhibited less complications in comparison with moderately and severely intruded teeth.