RESUMEN
BACKGROUND/AIM: During Chile's period of social unrest, numerous people suffered physical trauma due to the use of police force. However, there have been no reports regarding traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) suffered in this context. This study aims to describe the dental trauma of patients injured by police during the social unrest period in Chile from 2019 to 2021. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case series methodology was employed. Following informed consent, clinical records of patients admitted to the Ocular and Dentomaxillofacial Prosthetic Care and Rehabilitation Program, who were affected by the violence of state agents during social mobilizations, were reviewed from October 2019 to December 2021. Information on the sociodemographic characteristics of the patients and the TDI diagnoses with their treatment needs were collected. A descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: Forty-six patients were identified, nine of whom agreed to the informed consent. Most were male, with a mean age of 28 years, public health insurance, and a high educational level. The most common causes of injury were kinetic impact projectiles (KIPs) and the use of physical force (punches, kicks, or pushes). Of the nine cases described, 26 teeth were affected by TDI. The most affected teeth were the central upper incisors and, in most cases, they presented lesions in both injury categories: NA0D.0 (the tooth and pulp) and NA0D.1 (periodontal tissues). Treatment needs varied and included some complex procedures, such as implant-retained crowns and removable dental prostheses. CONCLUSIONS: The use of force by police during the period of social unrest in Chile caused TDIs among demonstrators, which were mainly due to physical force from less-than-lethal weapons. Most cases presented injuries affecting the incisors with multiple teeth requiring complex treatments.
RESUMEN
La fractura coronaria es el traumatismo dentoalveolar (TDA) más frecuente en la dentición permanente. Cuando existe exposición pulpar, se conoce como fractura coronaria complicada (FCC). Actualmente, en estos casos, se recomienda realizar terapias que permitan preservar la vitalidad del tejido pulpar, tanto en dientes maduros como inmaduros. El presente reporte describe el caso de un paciente de 9 años con FCC en diente 2.1, donde se realizó tratamiento con terapia pulpar vital (pulpotomía de Cvek), y adhesión de fragmento dentario. En los controles posteriores al TDA (1 semana, 4 meses, 1 y 2 años) el diente estaba asintomático, se observó formación de puente dentinario y continuación de desarrollo radicular con cierre apical, indicios de que el tejido pulpar se mantuvo vital. En este caso se destaca la importancia del diagnóstico, tratamiento adecuado, junto al seguimiento de un diente con desarrollo radicular incompleto.
Crown fracture is the most frequent dental traumatic injury (DTI) in permanent dentition. When there is pulp exposure, it is known as a complicated crown fracture. Currently, in these cases, it is recommended to carry out therapies that allow preserving the vitality of the pulp tissue, both in mature and immature teeth. This report describes the case of a 9-year-old patient with a complicated crown fracture in tooth 2.1, who underwent treatment with vital pulp therapy (Cvek pulpotomy), and adhesion of the dental fragment. In follow-up sessions (after 1 week, 4 months, 1 and 2 years), the tooth was asymptomatic. It was observed dentin bridge formation and the continuation of root development with apical closure, indications that the pulp tissue has remained vital. In this case, the importance of proper diagnosis and treatment is highlighted, together with the follow-up of a tooth with incomplete root development.
