Epidemiology and outcomes of dental trauma cases from an urban pediatric emergency department. Issue 2 (25th November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ritwik, Priyanshi; Massey, Christen; Hagan, Joseph
• Is Part Of: Dental traumatology. Volume 31:Issue 2(2015:Apr.)
• Page Start: 97
• Page End: 102
• Publication Date: 2014-11-25
• Subjects: Teeth -- Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Dentistry, Operative -- Periodicals; Traumatology -- Periodicals; Endodontics -- Periodicals; 617.6
• DOI: 10.1111/edt.12148
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1600-4469

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="edt12148-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="edt12148-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the outcomes of traumatized teeth treated in a pediatric emergency department.</p> </sec> <sec id="edt12148-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods and materials</title> <p>The records of pediatric patients presenting to the pediatric emergency department of a pediatric hospital over a 56‐month period were reviewed and pertinent data were extracted. Treatment outcomes and contributing factors were analyzed for cases with greater than 6 months of follow up.</p> </sec> <sec id="edt12148-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>A total of 264 patient records (548 traumatized teeth) were investigated. The mean age of the children was 8.2 years and 62% were boys. The most common ages for dental trauma were between 2–4 years and 8–10 years. Permanent dentition comprised 53% of the traumatized teeth. Extrusive and lateral luxations (29.5%) were the most common injuries encountered. Two hundred and thirty seven teeth (43%) presented for follow‐up visits, and the mean duration of follow up was 55.6 days. The number of cases with more than 6 months of follow up decreased to 122 (22%). Of these, 31 (6%) teeth were extracted at the time of injury. Outcomes were ascertained for the remaining 91 (17%) teeth. Emergency dental treatment led to uncomplicated retention of teeth beyond 6 months in 58% of these cases. Luxation injuries had a higher success rate than avulsions (<italic>P</italic> = 0.046).</p> </sec> <sec id="edt12148-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>After receiving emergency dental care in the emergency department, 43% of the teeth presented for follow‐up dental care and only 22% were followed up for greater than 6 months. Emergency department treatment translated to successful retention of teeth in 58% of the cases with documented follow up. Severe periodontal injuries resulted in treatment complications.</p> </sec> </abstract>