Traumatic dental injuries in Turkish children, Istanbul

Some of the commonly encountered dental emergencies are traumatic dental injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate traumatic dental injuries with regard to age, gender, etiology, classification of trauma, teeth involved, place of injury, and treatment received by patients who were referred over a 2-year period to the Istanbul University, Faculty of Dentistry, Clinics of Pedodontics, Istanbul, Turkey.

The study was based on the clinical data of 154 patients (337 traumatized teeth). The children were examined clinically for dental injuries by the same investigator. The following information was recorded: age, gender, etiology, localization, place, number of injured teeth, type of trauma, type of tooth, time elapsed between injury and treatment, and treatment provided. Traumatized teeth were assessed according to the classification of the World Health Organization slightly modified.

A total of 154 patients aged 1-13 years presented a total of 337 traumatized teeth (255 permanent and 82 primary). 94 boys (61%) and 60 girls (39%) with a mean age of 7.91 ± 3.15 years participated in the study. Dental injuries were frequent in the 6-12 year age group. The most common type of dental injuries recorded was luxation injuries (43.3%), uncomplicated crown fractures (20.5%), and complicated crown fractures (19.4%). The main causes were falls (55.2%) and being struck by an object (22.1%). The most frequent treatment was examination only (31.8%).

In childhood, a correct diagnosis may affect the management methods and prevent the occurrence of complications after treatment for traumatic dental injuries. Therefore, continuing education programs offering the latest updates in the management of traumatized teeth should be provided for dental and medical practitioners.