Traumatic dental injuries and pulp sequelae in an adolescent population.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Traumatic dental injuries (TDI) occur frequently and may result in pulp sequelae. This includes pulp necrosis with infection, pulp canal obliteration and root resorption. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of pulp sequelae after TDI among Norwegian adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective longitudinal study, including historical clinical data, was conducted with 16-year-old pupils in western Norway. All first-grade pupils, born in 1997 (n = 5184), attending public high schools, were invited to participate and to respond to an electronically administered closed-ended questionnaire (response rate 39.6%, n = 2055). Consent was given to access the dental records in the Public Dental Health Service in Hordaland, where information regarding TDI (diagnosis and treatment) and radiographs were interpreted. Only TDIs to anterior teeth were recorded (canine to canine in the maxilla and mandible). Outcome variables of TDI were registered and analysed using logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and log-rank test. RESULTS: The prevalence of TDI in the sample population was 16.4% (338 pupils), with a total of 637 teeth involved. The number of included teeth for analysis was 571 (90.5%). The prevalence of pulp necrosis with infection was 7.5%. Moderate and severe TDI was associated with a higher frequency of pulp necrosis with infection. Pulp canal obliteration and root resorption were found in 2.8% and 2.3% of teeth with TDI, respectively. Dental hard tissue injuries were more prone to the development of pulp necrosis than luxation injuries and combination injuries. The relationship between root development stage and development of pulp necrosis with infection was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Occurrence of different pulp sequelae among teeth affected with TDI was low. Moderate and severe TDI were more at risk of developing pulpal complications and hard tissue injuries were at higher risk of developing pulp necrosis with infection.

Complex Dentoalveolar Fractures: Main Clinical Variables Description and Analysis.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To analyze and evaluate clinical features that define complex dentoalveolar trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients, with a mean age of 36.1 years, were included in the study; most patients were male (82.2%). The main clinical features defining dentoalveolar fractures were evaluated, including the status of the tooth, alveolar socket and adjacent soft tissues and their relationships with tooth loss. The relationship between splinting and tooth loss was also studied. The data were analyzed using descriptive and statistical methods. RESULTS: A significant relationship was observed between the different clinical variables and tooth loss, in particular the status of the alveolar socket as the most relevant clinical factor; there was also a significant relationship between splinting and tooth loss, as this was the main protective factor. CONCLUSIONS: Tooth loss prognosis following complex dentoalveolar trauma is related to the clinical features of the fracture, particularly the status of the alveolar socket and the possibility of using splinting as treatment.

How does orofacial trauma in children affect the developing dentition? Long-term treatment and associated complications.

Each year, millions of children are injured and live with the consequences of those injuries. Through infancy and childhood, orofacial trauma caused by falls or being struck by or against objects occurs in children. The long-term implications on the developing permanent teeth are little known, even when the oral region is the second most frequently injured body area in children under 6 years of age. During this period, the developing permanent teeth may be directly involved after trauma, causing mild to severe hypoplasia, displacement, damage to the tooth germ, or an extended range of morphofunctional disturbances. In some cases, the effects of oral and dental injuries caused by trauma appear later with the eruption of the permanent incisors when ectopic eruption, malalignments, and other developmental disturbances become visible. Therefore, long-term follow up of the patient in order to diagnose and treat associated complications becomes essential. Critical points for facing the consequences of orofacial trauma on the developing dentition are to recognize the impact of orofacial trauma in young children and the dentist's role in providing anticipatory guidance to parents and health care professionals, differentiate between mild and severe disturbances affecting the developing permanent teeth after oral injuries in early childhood, recognize the importance of follow-up controls, and recognize the importance of early referral to a pediatric dentist and orthodontist for diagnosis and treatment planning.

Profile of intrusive luxation and healing complications in deciduous and permanent teeth - a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study analyse the profile of intrusion in deciduous (DT) and permanent teeth (PT), the occurrence of healing complications (HC), type of treatments and predisposing factors. METHODS: The records of patients attended from 2005 to 2011 were analysed. Records of patients who had one or more intruded DT or PT were included in the study. Data collected from dental records included age, gender, attendance (immediate/mediate), healing complications and type of treatment. A Chi-square test and Logistic regression (p ≤ .05) were performed to evaluate the associations between the type of teeth and presence of HC, as well as to explore the interactions between predisposing factors. RESULTS: The intrusion prevalence was 9.98% in DT and 2.45% in PT. Partial intrusion (57.3%) with palatal direction of the crown (61.8%) was most prevalent in DT, while complete intrusion (56.7%) with buccal direction of the crown (58.1%) was predominant for PT. Mobility was the most common HC in DT compared to root resorption in PT. Minimally invasive treatments were the most common therapy for DT compared to invasive treatments for PT. PT demonstrated increased HC when compared to DT (p = .004). A logistic regression illustrated that the level of intrusion and crown direction during the trauma did not influence the occurrence of HC (p > .05). CONCLUSION: Intrusion's profile in DT and PT are different. PT showed more HC than DT, however the level of intrusion and crown direction were not associated with the presence of HC.

Dentoalveolar oral surgery in children and adolescents: organization and surgical treatment in a large, Danish municipal dental service.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a population-based organization of dentoalveolar surgical service for 0 to 18-year old subjects in a Danish municipal dental service, and analyze the type of dentoalveolar surgical interventions needed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in the Municipality of Aarhus, Denmark during five consecutive school-years. An internal referral system was established within the municipality where patients could be referred to colleagues with a higher level of competencies and more experiences with paediatric dentoalveolar surgery. The analysis includes a total of 1812 children and a total of 2854 surgical interventions. RESULTS: Almost 80% of the patients, representing more than 80% of the dentoalveolar surgical interventions needed, were referred internally. Denudations were the most frequent treatment type (40.3%) carried out, followed by removal of third molars (18.0%). Furthermore, 22 odontomas and 100 supernumerary teeth were removed. CONCLUSIONS: The need of dentoalveolar surgery in children and adolescents is relatively low, but includes a wide range of interventions. An organizational system, where dentists can refer to colleagues who have developed special competencies in this field, results in most of these surgical patients being referred and treated internally.

Cross-sectional Study of Dental Trauma and Associated Factors Among 9- to 14-year-old Schoolchildren in Isfahan, Iran.

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of dental trauma (DT) and its associated factors in 9- to 14-year-olds. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out through clinical examination of the permanent incisors and canines of 907 schoolchildren (9 to 14 years old, average age = 11 ± 0.5 [SD] years, 55% female and 45% male) enrolled in 20 public schools in Isfahan, Iran. The demographic data, history and cause of trauma were recorded during patient interviews and with a structured questionnaire filled in by their parents. The overjet, lip coverage, and visible signs of DT (permanent incisors only, similar to the classification used by the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1988-1994, NHANES III) were recorded. DT in permanent canines were also recorded. RESULTS: Approximately 36% (n = 325) recalled the occurrence of dental trauma, but only 23.8% (n = 216) of children had visible signs of dental trauma to the permanent incisors (girls [18.8%], boys [29.9%], OR = 0.54; 95% CI 0.40- 0.74; p = 0.000). The maxillary central incisors were commonly injured (69.5%). The most frequent types of injuries were the enamel fracture (59.0%), craze lines (16.3%), and enamel and dentin fracture (13.4%). Tooth avulsion was seen in 0.7%. No significant association was found between dental trauma and increased overjet of > 3 mm (p = 0.328), but a tendency was identified for overjet > 5 mm (OR = 1.51; 95% CI 0.89-2.58; p = 0.060). The relationship between DT and lip coverage was statistically significant (OR = 1.63; 95% CI 1.18-2.25; p = 0.003). Violence (30%) and fall (22.7%) were the main causes of DT. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of DT in permanent incisors was high (23.8%) and significantly lower in girls. The association between DT and lip coverage was significant. There was no association between DT and increased overjet of > 3 mm.

Characteristics of Maxillofacial Trauma Among Alcohol and Drug Users.

The aim of the current study was to identify and compare the characteristics of maxillofacial trauma in alcohol and drug users with those of nonusers. A retrospective study was conducted using the medical records of patients treated for facial trauma between April 1999 and March 2012 at the Maxillofacial Surgery Division of the Piracicaba Dental School. The data were analyzed by descriptive analysis, binary logistic regression, and correlational analysis using SPSS 18.0 software. The results were considered relevant at P < 0.05. Medical records of 3724 patients with facial trauma were analyzed, of which 173 were illicit drug users and 19.36% reported alcohol intake. The use of illicit drugs was reported by 4.64%. The prevalent etiological factor among drug and alcohol users was interpersonal violence. The mandible was the face part most affected by fractures. Male patients exhibited increased odds of experiencing fractures (OR = 1.43), as did users of illicit drugs (OR = 1.62), when compared with nonusers. When faced with maxillofacial trauma, male drug users exhibited an increased chance of experiencing fractures. This knowledge should be used as a baseline to implement more efficient prevention strategies for this population.

Dental luxation and avulsion injuries in Hong Kong primary school children.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the major causes and types of dental luxation and avulsion injuries, and their associated factors in primary school children in Hong Kong. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: School dental clinic, New Territories, Hong Kong. PATIENTS: The dental records of children with a history of dental luxation and/or avulsion injury between November 2005 and October 2012 were reviewed. Objective clinical and radiographical findings at the time of injury and at follow-up examinations were recorded using a standardised form. Data analysis was carried out using the Chi squared test and multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 220 children with 355 teeth of dental luxation or avulsion injury were recorded. Their age ranged from 6 to 14 years and the female-to-male ratio was 1:1.8. The peak occurrence was at the age of 9 years. Subluxation was the most common type of injury, followed by concussion. Maxillary central incisors were the most commonly affected teeth. The predominant cause was fall and most injuries occurred at school. Incisor relationship was registered in 199 cases: most of them were Class I. Comparison of the incisor relationship in study children and the general Chinese population in another study revealed a higher proportion of Class II and fewer Class III occlusions in the trauma group (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Most dental luxation and avulsion injuries in Hong Kong primary school children are caused by fall. Boys are more commonly affected than girls, and a Class II incisor relationship is a significant risk factor.

Work absenteeism by parents because of oral conditions in preschool children.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of oral conditions in preschool children and associated factors on work absenteeism experienced by parents or guardians. METHODS: A preschool-based, cross-sectional study was conducted of 837 children, 3-5 years of age, in Campina Grande, Brazil. Parents or guardians answered the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale. The item 'taken time off work' was the dependent variable. Questionnaires addressing sociodemographic variables, history of toothache and health perceptions (general and oral) were also administered. Clinical examinations for dental caries and traumatic dental injury (TDI) were performed by three dentists who had undergone training and calibration exercises. Cohen's kappa (κ) was 0.83-0.88 for interexaminer agreement and 0.85-0.90 for intra-examiner agreement. Descriptive, analytical statistics were conducted, followed by logistic regression for complex samples (α = 5%). RESULTS: The prevalence of parents' or guardians' work absenteeism because of the oral conditions of their children was 9.2%. The following variables were significantly associated with work absenteeism: mother's low schooling [odds ratio (OR) = 2.31; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.31-4.07]; history of toothache (OR = 6.33; 95% CI: 3.18-12.61); and avulsion or luxation types of TDI (OR = 8.54; 95% CI: 1.80-40.53). CONCLUSION: Other oral conditions that do not generally cause pain, such as dental caries with a low degree of severity or inactive dental caries and uncomplicated TDI, were not associated with parents' or guardians' work absenteeism of preschool children. It is concluded that toothache, avulsion, luxation and a low degree of mother's schooling are associated with work absenteeism.

Traumatic dental injuries in a university hospital: a four-year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic dental injuries present complex injuries of the dentoalveolar system. Aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and patterns of traumatic dental injuries in a University dental emergency service over four years. METHODS: A retrospective investigation on all dental trauma patients presenting at the dental emergency service of the University Medical Center Mainz, Germany between 01/2010 and 12/2013 was conducted. Demographic data, the cause and type of trauma and the initial therapy were analyzed. RESULTS: Out of 16,301 patients, 1,305 patients (8 %; average age 14.7 years ±15.7; 60.1 % male, 39.9 % female) came due to trauma. 63.9 % of the traumas occurred on weekends. The most frequent reason for injuries was falls (54.6 %). No correlation could be found between the cause and the kind of trauma. In 48.6 % of the cases only one tooth was involved, in 33.5 % two. The permanent dentition was traumatized in 56.6 % of cases, the deciduous teeth in 41.1 %. The most frequently affected tooth was the central upper incisor (61.0 %). Hard-tissue injuries were significantly more frequent in the permanent dentition, while periodontal injuries were seen significantly more often in the deciduous dentition. CONCLUSION: Eight percent of all patients seeking help at the dental emergency service presented with trauma, meaning that dental traumatology is one of the major topics in emergencies. To improve the quality of care, further public education, expert knowledge among dental professionals and a well-structured emergency service are necessary.

Dental problems in athletes.

Orofacial injuries and diseases occur in athletes, and they may not always have access to dentists. Therefore team physicians should be aware of the common injuries and initial management. Treatment of dental injuries will depend on whether the teeth are primary or permanent. The most common type of fracture is crown fracture, but there are other dental injuries that can lead to future complications if not treated promptly and monitored closely. Tooth avulsions need to be handled properly, and athletes should see a dentist as soon as possible. Despite the urgency of some injuries, other orofacial injuries or diseases, such as lacerations and caries, should not be overlooked. Proper education and use of mouth guards can assist athletes in reducing their risk of orofacial injuries.

ATYPICAL DISLOCATION OF IMPACTED PERMANENT TEETH IN CHILDREN. OWN EXPERIENCE.

INTRODUCTION: Disturbances in forming of the hard tissue of teeth and bones can be a cause of their malformation and translocation. The impact of permanent teeth is one of them. It can occur with translocation of the tooth germ. The aim of the study was to present an atypical translocation of impacted permanent teeth in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 3.5 year clinical observation was carried out in 14 children (5 girls and 9 boys), aged between 9 and 12 years old. Patients were referred to our Department by orthodontists, paedodontists and General Dental Practitioners, due to impacted permanent teeth. According to the interview, in 8 cases children suffered from a trauma of a facial part of the skull, caused by a fall. On admitance patients were generally healthy. Basing on the clinical and radiological examination, translocation of the impacted permanent teeth has been diagnosed. In 9 cases it concerned medial maxillary incisors, whereas in remaining children--maxillary premolars. The extraction of such teeth has been performed as a part of the one day surgery procedures. CONCLUSION: In the cases where basing on the radiogram, the position of the tooth allows to predict the latter translocation, the germ has to be extracted.

Prevalence and unmet treatment need of traumatized incisor among Cameroonian schoolchildren in North West Province.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and unmet treatment need of traumatized incisor in 12-13 years old among Cameroonian Schoolchildren in the North West Province. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional survey among 12-13 years old children of selected rural and urban secondary schools in North West province of Cameroon was conducted between March and November, 2010. RESULTS: The majority of the 2287 studied children were females (50.2%) and urban dwellers (51.8%). Of the 2287 studied children, 45 of them exhibited evidence of incisor trauma giving a prevalence of 2.0%. This prevalence was higher in males than females (2.3% versus 1.7%) and also higher in urban than rural schools (2.2% versus 1.7%). Upper central incisor was the predominantly traumatized tooth and enamel fracture constituted 62.2% of incisor trauma. Fall and sports were the leading cause of incisor trauma in this study. Some minor variations in the causes of incisor trauma were found among gender and location. The prevalence of unmet treatment need was 91.1% which were mainly acid etch restoration. Males and rural dwellers had more unmet treatment need. CONCLUSION: Data revealed a low prevalence of traumatized incisor with high prevalence of unmet treatment needs among Cameroonian Schoolchildren in North West Province. Findings of this survey provide baseline information on prevalence and unmet treatment need for traumatized incisor among Cameroonian Schoolchildren in the North West Province.

Concomitant dental injuries in maxillofacial fractures - a retrospective analysis of 1219 patients.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Traumatic dental injuries are frequently combined with maxillofacial fractures, but literature addressing this topic is rare. In a retrospective study, the frequency of dental lesions in inpatients with traumatic facial injuries was analyzed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz for inpatient treatment due to facial fractures between January 2001 and December 2007 were analyzed regarding the type of fracture, its localization, and potential concomitant dental injuries. In addition a systematic review was performed to compare the findings of this study with existing data. RESULTS: Altogether 1219 facial trauma patients underwent inpatient treatment. 184 (15.87%) out of those had 451 injured teeth, and 4.9% were edentulous. The most frequent causes were assaults (25.1%), followed by falls (19.6%) and bike accidents (10.1%). Avulsion, especially of the upper incisors, occurred in most cases (27.9%). Assaults caused 1.29 dental fractures per patient, while traffic-related accidents led to three to four times higher injury-rates. CONCLUSIONS: With almost every sixth patient having at least one kind of dental injury, this study shows that a thorough anamnesis and examination of the dental status are absolutely necessary, especially in patients who suffered from high-speed impacts or collisions with low-resilience surfaces.

Intrusive luxation of primary upper incisors and sequelae on permanent successors: a clinical follow-up study.

AIM: The purpose of this report is to evaluate the epidemiological aspects of intrusion that occur against upper incisors in primary dentition, to determine the statistic correlation of developmental disturbances to permanent teeth in relation to age of children at the time of trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed based on radiographic and clinical data of 34 intruded incisors in 30 patients aged between 12 and 60 months. Baseline data were collected in a questionnaire designed following the guidelines of the IADT-Italy. The descriptive statistical analysis between the different variables was performed with the Chi-squared test and the level of significance was set at 5%. The following parameters were considered: gender, age of patient at the time of injury, emergency treatment, clinical signs (vitality, mobility, spontaneous pain, colour change), presence of complications, degree of spontaneous re-eruption and possible developmental disorders to the following tooth. RESULTS: Intrusive luxation is not statistically related to gender. During the first 6-month follow-ups, 20 incisors belonging to 12 subjects aged between 12-24 months at the time of intrusion exhibited pulpal necrosis. The highest rate of total spontaneous re-eruption occurred in incisors intruded at 12-24 months. The likelihood of spontaneous re-eruption decreased with the child's age. A significant correlation between mobility at clinical follow-up and developmental disorders in permanent teeth was found, whereas a statistical correlation between age of patient at the time of trauma and sequelae was not pointed out, even if 17 primary incisors intruded at 12-24 months did not develop an arrest of root formation. CONCLUSION: The most traumatic intrusions in primary dentition occurs between 12 and 24 months of age, the most common cause being fall while walking. Intruded incisors with moderate mobility developed enamel hypoplasia and ectopic eruption. There was no significant correlation between age at the time of intrusion and type of subsequent developmental disturbances.

Epidemiology and severity of traumatic dental injuries in permanent teeth: A 20-year retrospective study.

This study aimed to assess the traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) in permanent dentition among patients who attended at the outpatient clinic of a Brazilian dental school, during the last 20 years, and to investigate factors associated with the severity of these injuries. Clinical records of patients who attended a specialized center for dental trauma care in Brazil presenting at least one TDI in a permanent tooth, between the years 2000 and 2019, were reviewed. The data recorded were sex, age, affected arch, etiology, number, and type of the teeth affected, and classification and severity of the TDIs. The diagnosis and classification of the TDIs were based on the guidelines of the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT). The severity of each patient's injuries was defined as mild, moderate, or severe. Descriptive statistics, chi-square and multinomial regression analyses were used to evaluate the results. The significance level was set at 5%. A total of 837 clinical records were included, totaling 2357 teeth. Males were more prevalent than females. The patients' age ranged from 5 to 71 years. The most common traumas were avulsion (n=512) and uncomplicated enamel-dentin fracture (n=488). Univariate analyses showed that there was a statistically significant association between age group (p=0.004), etiology (p=0.000) and number of teeth affected (p=0.000) with severity of dental trauma. In conclusion, TDIs that occurred in Piracicaba and region are epidemiologically similar to those found worldwide, and that more severe injuries are related to age range, etiology and number of teeth affected.

Dental and Dentoalveolar Injuries in the Pediatric Patient.

Dental and dentoalveolar injuries are common in the pediatric population. Management is predicated on the type of tooth injured (primary or permanent), extent of injury, the dental and behavioral age of the patient, and ability of the patient to tolerate treatment. Although many dental injuries occur in isolation, a systematic evaluation of the patient is mandatory to confirm the absence of basal bone fractures of the maxilla or mandible, traumatic brain injury, cervical spine injury, and/or facial soft tissue injury. Long-term follow-up is paramount to achieving a functional occlusion and optimal dental health following injury.

Traumatic dental injuries over an 8-year period at a German dental center: a retrospective overview and cross-sectional analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze a population of patients who had suffered from traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) by using different patient-, trauma- and treatment-related parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All dental records of patients ≥ 3 years old who had presented at the dental emergency service between Jan 1, 2009 and Dec 31, 2016 for the treatment of dental trauma were analyzed. A total of 2758 patients were invited for a recall examination at the Department for Dental Surgery and Implantology, ZZMK Carolinum, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany; of these, 269 patients attended their recall appointments. RESULTS: The enrolled patient population consisted of 1718 males and 1040 females, with a mean age of 19.63 years (median 12.00 ± 17.354 years). A total of 4909 injured teeth were assessed, with a mean of 1.78 injured teeth per patient (median 2.00 ± 1.279). Males were found to be more frequently affected by TDIs compared to females (1.65:1). The majority of these injuries occurred in the first two decades of life (66.1%; n = 1824). The majority of the patients presented for initial treatment within 24 h of their accident (95.7%). The most frequent TDIs were isolated luxation injuries 49.4% (n = 2426) and isolated crown fractures 30% (n = 1472). Combination injuries were diagnosed in 20.6% of the cases (n = 1011). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings of the present analysis, it can be concluded that males were more frequently affected by TDIs than females. Most patients had suffered from TDI before they had turned 10 years of age. Overall, the enamel-dentin fracture was found to be the most frequent injury, followed by concussions and lateral luxations.

Factors associated with the survival of primary maxillary anterior teeth after intrusive luxation: a retrospective longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the survival rate of primary maxillary anterior teeth following intrusive luxation and identify associated factors. METHODS: A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted at a primary dental trauma centre using 88 dental records of children with intrusive luxation between 2007 and 2018. The variables of interest were time the tooth remained in the alveolus, degree of intrusion, accentuated overjet, lip protection, visible plaque, compromised germ of the permanent successor, clinical signs of infectious and inflammatory processes, endodontic treatment, pulp canal obliteration, sex, age at the time of trauma, family income, mother's schooling, and immediate care. Descriptive, bivariate, and Cox regression analyses were performed (p < 0.05; 95% CI). RESULTS: The 88 dental records of children with intrusive luxation included 128 teeth. Survival rate throughout the follow-up period was 65.6% (n = 84). Age older than three years and eight months (HR 2.28; 95% CI 1.04-4.99; p = 0.039), the development of an infectious process (HR 3.51; 95% CI 1.39-8.86; p = 0.008), development of an inflammatory process (HR 2.35; 95% CI 1.17-4.71; p = 0.016) and compromised germ of the permanent successor (HR 4.38; 95% CI 1.99-9.61; p < 0.001) were associated with a lower survival rate of intruded primary maxillary anterior teeth. CONCLUSION: The survival rate during the follow-up period of intruded primary maxillary anterior teeth was considered high. A significantly lower survival rate was associated with age, the occurrence of an infectious process and inflammatory process, and the compromised germ of the permanent successor.

Emergency Facial Injuries in Athletics.

Dental and oral injuries are a common occurrence in sport. Initial evaluation should always begin with an assessment of the patient's airway, breathing, circulation, as well as identification of associated injuries. Tooth avulsions are the only true dental emergency. Oral lacerations frequently do not require repair; however, special attention should be paid to lip lacerations involving the vermillion border. Most tooth and oral lacerations can be treated on the field with urgent referral to a dentist.