Epidemiological Profile of Dental Trauma: A 13-Year Retrospective Study

This study aimed to conduct a retrospective epidemiological investigation of patients treated in an extension project at a Brazilian dental school over the past 13 years.

Clinical records of patients treated at a university hospital in Brazil as part of a specialized dental trauma care project were reviewed. The study included both primary and permanent teeth and covered the period from 2011 to 2024. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Pearson chi-square, with a significance level set at 5%.

Of the 460 records evaluated, 375 met the inclusion criteria, encompassing a total of 833 affected teeth (220 primary and 613 permanent teeth). Males (n = 248) represented the majority of individuals treated and exhibited a higher prevalence of hard tissue injuries (n = 208) compared with females (n = 93). The most common type of hard tissue injury was enamel and dentin fractures without pulp exposure (n = 139). Patients with hard tissue injuries generally sought care promptly after the traumatic event (p < 0.0001) and showed a significantly higher incidence of endodontic treatment needs (p < 0.0001) than those soft tissue fractures. Falls were identified as the leading cause of all types of hard tissue fractures (p < 0.0001).

The study identifies a high-risk profile for hard issue injuries, predominantly affecting children from infancy to early adolescence (ages 0-14 years), with falls being the most frequent cause. Additionally, hard tissue injuries were associated with faster care-seeking behavior and a higher likelihood of requiring endodontic treatment.