Evaluation of care of dentoalveolar trauma.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate cases of dental trauma treated at the specialized center of Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil, during a period of 2 years.


METHODS
A total of 647 patients were evaluated and treated between 2003 and 2005. Data obtained from each patient were tabulated and analyzed as to gender, age, etiology, time elapsed after the injury, diagnosis (type of trauma), and affected teeth.


RESULTS
The results revealed that male individuals aged 7 to 13 years presented the highest prevalence of injury, and falling was the main causal factor. In most cases, the time elapsed between the accident and the first care ranged from 4 to 24 h. A total of 1,747 teeth were affected, with higher incidence of concussion/subluxation and coronal fracture, followed by lateral luxation and avulsion. The permanent maxillary central incisors were the most commonly affected teeth.


CONCLUSIONS
The frequency and causes of dentoalveolar trauma should be investigated for identification of risk groups, treatment demands and costs in order to allow for the establishment of effective preventive measures that can reduce the treatment duration and costs for both patients and oral health services.
Fariniuk
Luiz Fernando
LF
Endodontics, Department of Dentistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil. fariniuk@uol.com.br
Souza
Maria Helena de
MH
Westphalen
Vânia Portela Dietzel
VP
Carneiro
Everdan
E
Silva Neto
Ulisses X
UX
Roskamp
Liliane
L
Cavali
Ana Egide
AE
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007180:Incisor / Q000293:injuries; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000293:injuries; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014084:Tooth Avulsion / Q000453:epidemiology; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000293:injuries; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000293:injuries; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult