Evaluation and diagnosis of the traumatized dentition

Traumatic dental injuries comprise a number of the dental emergency patients who are often seen after hours or on an unscheduled basis in a dental practice environment. Although there are a variety of traumatic dental injuries that can occur, each with their own recommended treatment protocols, the initial evaluation and diagnosis of the traumatized dentition make up a critical aspect of the management of these cases. This article will highlight the key components of a thorough and efficient examination process of the traumatized dentition to include (a) documenting an accurate history of the events causing the injury, (b) performing a systematic clinical examination to include the use of clinical photographs and pulp sensibility tests, (c) obtaining appropriate radiographic images and scans, (d) understanding some considerations unique to evaluating young patients with traumatic injuries, and (e) recognizing the importance of having accurate and thorough documentation of these types of cases. Once the evaluation and diagnosis phase has been completed, the necessary treatment protocols can be initiated in an appropriate manner.