Reasons for seeking treatment after traumatic dental injuries

The purpose of this study was to determine the reasons why parents of children seek treatment after traumatic injuries to primary teeth. The sample consisted of 114 5-month to 8-year-old children with 196 injured primary teeth. The reason for parents seeking treatment varied according to the type of injury. Parents of children with enamel fractures and enamel-dentin fractures without pulpal exposure were more concerned about esthetics. Of the patients presenting concussions, parents were more responsive to color change of the tooth and to the tooth response to the trauma, mainly abscess formation. In luxations and lateral displacements, the parents sought dental treatment because of their own reaction to the clinical situation, i.e., blood, crying. Very few were concerned with possible consequences to the primary and/or permanent teeth. In no category of injury were the parents most concerned about the consequences to the primary and/or permanent teeth.