Effect of root immaturity and depth of intrusion on spontaneous re-eruption and healing complications: A retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Dental trauma resulting in tooth intrusion is a severe injury of permanent dentition, with a prevalence of 0.5%-1.9% among traumatic dental injuries. Currently, treatment guidelines for intruded permanent teeth depend on root development and the degree of intrusion. However, the categorization of tooth maturity as mature or immature simplifies a complex continuum of root development stages. This study aims to investigate the impact of various stages of root development on the success of spontaneous re-eruption (SRE) of intruded teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study analysed data from 80 children (125 teeth) aged 6-12 years who experienced dental intrusion between 2018 and 2022. Root maturation was classified based on Cvek's classification, eight were categorized as stage 1, 29 as stage 2, 44 as stage 3, 25 as stage 4, and 19 as stage 5. Intruded teeth with immature roots (Cvek's class 1-4) underwent SRE, while mature teeth (Cvek's class 5) were treated with SRE, orthodontic repositioning, or surgical repositioning based on the degree of intrusion. Primary outcome measures were successful re-eruption and secondary outcomes included observed complications during follow-up. RESULTS: Regression analysis revealed that the patient's age, degree of root maturation, and degree of intrusion significantly affected spontaneous re-eruption (p < .05). SRE was more successful in teeth with Cvek's stages 1 and 2 compared to stages 3 and 4. Complications were associated with the treatment method, degree of root immaturity, and degree of intrusion. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that as root maturation progresses, the likelihood of re-eruption decreases, and the risk of pulp necrosis and infection increases. Therefore, teeth in later stages of immaturity (Cvek stage 4) should be repositioned orthodontically or surgically without waiting for spontaneous re-eruption.

Management of Pediatric Mandibular Fractures Using Orthodontic Archwires and Elastic Traction: An Alternative to Conventional Treatment Methods.

Introduction: Maxillofacial trauma in children consists of >15% of all facial fractures, which is usually associated with sports injuries and falls while playing. Pediatric mandibular fractures are relatively less frequent when compared to adults, and the reason can be attributed to the child's protected anatomic features and infrequent exposure of children to alcohol-related road accidents. Management principles vary in children, and the main concern is about mandibular growth and the development of dentition. Treatment can be done by either closed reduction or open reduction and internal fixation. Case description: A 5-year-old boy reported to the Department of Pediatric and preventive dentistry with the history of falling from a bike. The patient presented with bruise over chin, deviated mouth opening and deranged occlusion. OPG revealed right condylar fracture and left parasymphysis fracture. Treatment with closed reduction was favored over open reduction in order to decrease the risk of any undue trauma to developing tooth buds and to avoid any growth-related injury in children. Hence, a new approach was performed for closed reduction. The patient was kept on follow-up for a period 6 months. Discussion: Earlier treatment options in closed reduction were limited to intraoral cap splints, circummandibular wiring, eyelet wiring, and even bridle wiring. This case report highlights the use of orthodontic archwires and elastic traction in the management of pediatric mandibular fractures, which is something new to conventional treatment methods and can be used as an alternative method. How to cite this article: Kakran A, Singhal R, Namdev R, et al. Management of Pediatric Mandibular Fractures Using Orthodontic Archwires and Elastic Traction: An Alternative to Conventional Treatment Methods. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(6):864-867.