Trauma to primary and permanent teeth Flashcards
What is the approach for dental trauma?
History Exam/DX Emergency TX Follow Up Definitive TX
What are the components of the general evaluation of a patient who has sustained trauma?
General appearance
Vital signs
Consciousness
What are the components of the extra oral examination of a patient who has sustained trauma?
Check for clear nasal fluid discharge Bruises Swelling Neck movements Steps at the border of bones Mandibular movements Lacerations
What are the components of the cranial nerve examination of a patient who has sustained trauma?
Eye movements- vision (double/blurred), pupil constriction
Olfactory- can they smell
Auditory- can they hear
Talk, swallow, open mouth, stick tongue out, raise eyebrows, squeeze eyelids, smile, pucker lips, shrug shoulders
What are the minimum questions to ask when a patient has sustained trauma?
Did the patient lose consciousness
Any vomiting since the injury happened
What are the 3 components of an intraoral exam?
1- soft tissue
2- occlusion- alignment, steps in occlusion
3- teeth- fractures, tooth displacement, all teeth present
Which injuries are hard tissue injuries?
Cracked teeth
Fractured teeth
Pulp exposure
Color change
Which injuries are supporting tissue injuries?
Displacement of teeth Mobility of teeth Mobility of alveolar fragments Occlusion abnormality Percussion sensitivity
What type of radiograph should be taken for primary dental trauma?
Occlusal films
What is the timeline for radiographic evidence of pathology?
2 wks- pulpal necrosis
3 wks- inflammatory resorption
6 wks- replacement resorption
What are the effects of trauma?
Pulpal hyperemia
Trauma effect:
May lead to cold sensitivity
What are the effects of trauma?
Internal hemorrhage
Trauma effect:
(Transient) discoloration
What are the effects of trauma?
Pulpal necrosis
Trauma effect:
Percussion + / Periapical radiolucency
What are the effects of trauma?
Pulp canal obliteration
Trauma effect:
Tooth turns yellow
What are the effects of trauma?
Inflammatory resorption
Trauma effect:
Radiographic appearance changes
Change in mobility
What are the effects of trauma? Replacement resorption (ankylosis)
Trauma effect:
Lack of mobility, dull percussion sound
T/F
Pulpal necrosis subsequent to PCO (pulp canal obliteration) was uncommon (1%)
True
What are the characteristics of replacement resorption?
Direct union of bone and root
Resorption of root and replacement with bone
Direct result of loss of vital PDL
What are the two main goals of emergency management of dental trauma?
Cover fractured teeth temporarily
Reposition luxated teeth and stabilize
This leads to need for follow up plan
Cold test and EPT should NOT be considered in which cases?
Testing:
Children
Open apices
Shortly after trauma
Which are the most reliable forms of diagnostic testing for dental trauma initially?
Testing: Radiography Percussion Palpation Mobility Swelling
Which tests are primarily best for teeth with closed apices?
Testing:
EPT
Cold Test
Which tests are used as diagnostic and to determine a baseline record?
Testing:
Radiography
Swelling
Which tests are used to evaluation the severity of luxation injuries?
Testing:
Palpation
Mobility
Which test is used to evaluate concussion to tooth injuries?
Testing:
Percussion
What are the primary categories of dental trauma?
Fracture
Luxation
What is an enamel infarction?
Crack
What is an uncomplicated crown fracture?
Fracture of enamel and/or dentin in the crown without pulp exposure
aka Class I and II
What is a complicated crown fracture?
Fracture of enamel/dentin in the crown with pulp exposure
aka Class III
What is an uncomplicated crown-root fracture?
Fracture of enamel and/or dentin of crown and root without pulp exposure
What is a complicated crown-root fracture?
Fracture of enamel and/or dentin of crown and root with pulp exposure
What is an isolated root fracture?
Fracture of root only