Clinical and epidemiological study of traumatic root fractures.
The aim of this work was to study the prevalence and clinical presentation of root fractures in a series of patients with dental trauma. Treatment strategies were classified and outcomes after a 6-month period presented. The study population comprised 76 patients (between the ages of 2 and 55 years) with 93 root fractures in their teeth (18 primary, 75 permanent). Data were collected following the taking of a detailed clinical history, objective clinical examination and photographic and radiological investigation. Since most of the primary teeth were extracted, only cases with root fracture of permanent teeth were followed-up: in all, 24 patients with 31 teeth with root fractures. The prevalence of root fractures in permanent teeth was 7.7% of all injuries, while in primary teeth it was 3.8%. The most frequently involved teeth were the maxillary incisors with a percentage of 75% in permanent teeth. Moreover, 40% of root fractures in permanent teeth were associated with fracture of the alveolar bone and of the soft tissues and in 45% of cases, the adjacent teeth were also injured. The results of this study reaffirm the necessity for scrupulous diagnosis of teeth after a traumatic injury. Adjacent teeth and those in the opposing arch should not be ignored. Treatment is multidisciplinary, requiring surgical, orthodontic, operative and prosthetic compliance. Periodic check-up is essential.
University of Brescia, Dental School, Italy.
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Majorana
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Pasini
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Bardellini
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Keller
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000293:injuries; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003784:Dental Pulp Calcification / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003790:Dental Pulp Necrosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D019229:Dentition, Permanent; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000293:injuries; D007572:Jaw Fractures / Q000150:complications; D008437:Maxilla / Q000293:injuries; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012390:Root Canal Therapy; D012391:Root Resorption / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000293:injuries*; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous