Case series: a clinical study of 27 cases of dentoalveolar root fractures in children and adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
This was to assess fracture type, treatment delay, splinting periods and various treatment methods on periradicular healing of root fractures in a group of patients attending a Paediatric Dentistry clinic.


METHODS
Records and radiographs of children with root-fractured teeth, referred during 1999-2003, were assessed.


METHODS
Correlation analysis was performed using Spearman rank test.


RESULTS
There were 27 root-fractured teeth in 20 patients aged between 8-18 years. One root-fracture occurred in 13 patients (65%) and 7 (35%) had two root-fractured teeth; all maxillary teeth and the most affected teeth were central, followed by lateral, incisors. Only 4 patients were seen on the day of the trauma. The commonest cause of injury was a fall (12 patients), followed by collisions, bicycle and motorcycle accidents. Treatments consisted of: splinting, splinting+pulp therapy, extraction of coronal fragment accompanied with orthodontic interventions and restorative procedures, and surgical operations. Healing was related to treatment delay, location and type of fracture, and splinting time. Statistical analysis showed significant correlations only between healing type and splinting time.


CONCLUSIONS
Preventive educational programs concerning traumatic dental injuries are needed in Turkey and mandatory use of mouthguards and preventive use of helmets with bicycles and motorcycles.
Department of Paediatric Dentistry. Faculty of Dentistry, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.
Z
Z
Kirzioglu
T
T
Koseler Sentut
H
H
Karayilmaz
S
S
Ozay Erturk
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D001642:Bicycling / Q000293:injuries; D002648:Child; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013165:Splints / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000293:injuries*; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology