Vacuum formed splints: Novel method for managing oro-facial trauma.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Trauma to the oro-facial structures in children is different from trauma in adults. There are several points of differentiation between the two, the most important being growth. AIM: The purpose of this paper is to present the advantages of a vacuum-formed splint which was chosen as a practical and effective conservative treatment approach for the management of maxillofacial trauma. CASE REPORT A 9-year old boy reported to the department of pediatric and preventive dentistry with right mandibular parasymphyseal fracture. The trauma presented with the unique challenge to save and support the unerupted and developing tooth buds. Therefore, a vacuum-formed splint was fabricated and cemented in place for the next 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: The splinting method used for stabilization of the injured teeth is an important issue in trauma therapy to support the periodontal healing. Pediatric maxillofacial traumas require different clinical treatment strategies compared with fractures of the adult population.