Pulp and periodontal healing of laterally luxated permanent teeth: results after 4 years.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the pulp and periodontal healing of laterally luxated permanent teeth.


METHODS
Patients presenting with lateral luxation of permanent teeth during 2001-2002 were enrolled in this clinical study. Laterally luxated teeth were repositioned and splinted with a TTS/composite resin splint for 4 weeks. Immediate (prophylactic) root-canal treatment was performed in severely luxated teeth with radiographically closed apices. All patients received tetracycline for 10 days. Re-examinations were performed after 1, 2, 3, 6, 12 and 48 months.


RESULTS
All 47 laterally luxated permanent teeth that could be followed over the entire study period survived. In 10 teeth (21.3%), a prophylactic root-canal treatment was performed within 2 weeks following injury. The remaining 37 teeth showed the following characteristics at the 4-year re-examination: 19 teeth (51.4%) had pulp survival (no clinical or radiographic signs or symptoms), nine teeth (24.3%) presented with pulp canal calcification, and pulp necrosis was seen in another nine teeth (24.3%), within the first year after trauma. None of the teeth with a radiographically open apex at the time of lateral luxation showed complications. External root resorption was only seen in one tooth.


CONCLUSIONS
Laterally luxated permanent teeth with incomplete root formation have a good prognosis, with all teeth surviving in this study. The most frequent complication was pulp necrosis that was only seen in teeth with closed apices.
Ferrazzini Pozzi
Elena C
EC
Department of Oral Surgery and Stomatology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
von Arx
Thomas
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003481:Cuspid / Q000293:injuries; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003784:Dental Pulp Calcification / Q000209:etiology; D003790:Dental Pulp Necrosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000209:etiology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000209:etiology; D012390:Root Canal Therapy; D012391:Root Resorption / Q000209:etiology; D013165:Splints; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000473:pathology; D014084:Tooth Avulsion / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000628:therapy; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult