Association of crown discoloration and pulp status in traumatized primary teeth

The aim of the present study was to determine the association of tooth discoloration in traumatized primary teeth with clinical and radiographic signs of pulp necrosis, and pulp status at the time of endodontic access. Clinical and radiographic data from dental reports of the 47 patient charts of the Trauma Patient Care Program were used totaling 55 teeth that underwent endodontic treatment following the protocol of the Federal University of Santa Catarina (Brazil). The following data were collected: gender, age of child at time of trauma; crown discoloration; abscess and/or fistula; periapical bone rarefaction and/or pathological root resorption; and pulp status at the time of endodontic access. The Chi-square test and logistic regression were used in the statistical analysis. The associations between crown discoloration and gender, age, tooth, type of trauma, clinical alteration, and radiographic alteration were not statistically significant. There was a significant association between crown discoloration and pulp necrosis at the time of endodontic access (χ(2)  = 7.672; P < 0.05). Traumatized primary teeth with crown discoloration had a fivefold greater likelihood of exhibiting pulp necrosis than teeth without crown discoloration (95% CI: 1.5-17.1). Thus, a significant association was found between crown discoloration and pulp necrosis in traumatized primary teeth.