Facial injuries sustained during sports and games

This study is an investigation into the number and type of facial injuries due to sports and games, because no detailed information on these dental misfortunes could be found in the literature. The group investigated consisted of 319 patients, treated at the Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Nijmegen in the period January 1, 1971-December 31, 1978. Facial injuries were classified into different types of fractures according to site as also were further series of associated injuries. Males were shown to be more prone to facial injuries than females (2.4:1). In the age group 15-40 years, males proved to be more prone to such injuries than the age group under 15 years. The major part of the injuries is due to fractures of the alveolar process and/or luxation of teeth (59.6%), the zygomatic bone and arch (24.2%) and the mandible (15.3%). Fractures of the maxilla and the nose were rarely seen.