| Sub-title | |
| Author | A Camilleri |
| Abstract | Introduction: Cases of orofacial trauma presenting to the general dental practitioner, general medical practitioner and doctors working in casualty are a relatively common event. These clinicians should be well versed in the immediate management of trauma to both primary and permanent teeth. Dental injuries usually involve a combination of injuries to a tooth and its supporting structures with certain types of injuries requiring more immediate treatment than others. Prompt, accurate diagnosis and appropriate emergency treatment will greatly improve the prognosis for many dentoalveolar injuries. Materials and Method: Data on 159 cases of trauma to children aged between 5 and 23 years of age (250 traumatised permanent teeth) was collected over a period of 5 years (Aug 2001 – Aug 2006). Treatment was carried out either at the School Dental Clinic, St Lukes Hospital Dental Department, University Dental Clinic or a private dental clinic. These patients will be recalled to assess the outcome of treatment Results: 4 % attended casualty Department as a first line emergency assessment prior to being referred on. Males accounted for 63 % of the children in the sample. Dental injuries that presented most frequently in permanent dentition were uncomplicated crown fractures of enamel and dentine (34%).72% of the traumatised permanent teeth suffered a form of luxation injury and 3% were cases of avulsion (complete loss of tooth from socket). Conclusion: A clinical audit of the management of trauma anterior teeth is required to evaluate the efficacy of immediate emergency treatment. |
Published in: | |
| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 18 Supplement |
| Page | |
| Date | 01/12/2006 |
| Link to journal | |
| Key words | audit, dentoalveolar trauma, management |