Injuries to the Periodontal Tissue

Type of Trauma Clinical Findings Imaging/Radiographic Treatment Follow Up
1-Concussion (primary teeth) -Tender to touch (palpation)
-No displacement
-No bleeding
-Normal mobility
No baseline radiograph recommended --No treatment is needed
-Observation
-Parent/patient education
Clinical examination after:
.1 wk
.6–8 wk
2-Concussion (permanent teeth) normal mobility
-no displacement
-tender to percussion and touch (palpation)
-palp test: usually positive
-no radiographic abnormality
-recommended radiographs:
.1 parallel P.A
Additional radiographs: if signs or symptoms are present
--no treatment is needed
-monitor pulp condition for at least one yr
-Clinical and radiographs examination after:
.4wk
.1yr
3-Subluxation (primary teeth) -tender to percussion and touch (palpation)
-increased mobility
-no displacement
-bleeding from gingival crevice may be noted
-recommended radiographs:
.A parallel P.A or occ radiograph
-normal to slightly widened PDL
--no treatment is needed
-observation
-Parent/patient education
-Clinical examination after:
.1wk
.6-8wk
4-Subluxation (permanent teeth) -tender to percussion and touch (palpation)
-increased mobility
-no displacement
-bleeding from gingival crevice may be noted
-the tooth may not respond to pulp test due to transient pulp damage
-Radiographic appearance is usually Normal
-recommended radiographs:
.1 parallel P.A
.2 additional radiographs with different angles
-occ radiograph
normally no treatment is needed
--2wks flexible splint for excessive mobile teeth or tenderness when biting
-monitor pulp condition for at least one yr
-Clinical and radiographs examination after:
.2wks
.12wks
.6mo
.1yr
5-Extrusive Luxation (primary teeth) -Partial displacement
-Long appearance
-excessive mobile
-occ interference maybe present
recommended radiographs:
.A parallel P.A or occ radiograph
-slight increase to substantially widened PDL space apically
Treatments are based on degree of displacement, mobility, occ interference, root formation, ability of child to tolerate the emergency situations.
--no occ interference = spontaneously reposition
-excessive mobility or extrusion more than 3mm: ext
6-Extrusive Luxation (permanent teeth) -long appearance
-increased mobility
-likely to have no response to pulp test
-PDL widening both apically and laterally
-recommended radiographs:
.1 parallel P.A
.2 additional radiographs with different angles
-occ radiograph
gently reposition
-flexible splint for 2wk (if fracture of marginal bone:4wk splint)
-monitor the pulp conditions
-if the pulp becomes necrotic: pulp therapy
Clinical and radiographs examination after:
.2wk
.4wk
.8wk
.12wk
.6mo
.1yr
.then yearly for at least 5 yr
7-Lateral Luxation (primary teeth) no mobility
-displacement (usually palatal or labial movement)
-recommended radiographs:
.A parallel P.A or occ radiograph
-apically PDL widening (most clearly seen on an occ radiograph, especially if tooth displaced labially )
-minimal or no occ interference: allow to spontaneous reposition (usually occurs within 6mo)
-in sever displacement:
1-if has a risk of ingestion or aspiration= ext
2--gently reposition the teeth (flexible splint for 4 wk :if unstable in new position)
Clinical examinations after: .1wk
.6-8wk
.6mo
.1yr
-if repositioned and splinted review after:
.1wk
.4wk for splint removal
.8wk
.6mo
.1yr
8-Lateral Luxation (permanent teeth) no mobility
-displacement (any lateral direction)
-associated with a fracture or compression of alveolar socket wall or facial cortical bone
-metallic percussion.
-Pulp test: usually negative
PDL widening (best seen on horizontal angle shifts radiographs or occ radiograph)
-recommended radiographs:
.1 parallel P.A
.2 additional radiographs with different angles
-occ radiograph
gently reposition
-flexible splint for 4wk (fx of marginal bone or alveolar socket wall: maybe additional splinting
-endodontic evaluation, about 2wk after injury:
1.teeth with incomplete root formation:
.spontaneous revascularization may occur
.in necrotic pulp: pulp therapy
2-tooth with complete root formation:
.the pulp will likely become necrotic
.use of corticosteroid or calcium hydroxide as an intra canal agent to prevent the inflammation or external resorption and then RCT ( monitor pulp condition)
9-Intrusive Luxation (primary teeth) Displaced through the labial or palatal (it can impinge on the permanent bud) bone
-almost or completely disappear
-can be palpated labially
recommended radiographs:
.A parallel P.A or occ radiograph
-labially displacement of apex: the apical tip can be seen and the image of teeth will appear shorter than contralateral tooth
-palatally displacement of apex: the apical tip can’t be seen and the image of teeth will appear longer than contralateral tooth
--allowed to spontaneously reposition itself (usually occurs in 6 mo and in some case until 1 yr)
-rapid referral (within a couple of days)
clinical examination after:
.1wk
.6-8wk
.6mo
.1yr
-follow up at 6 yr of age to monitor of eruption (for sever intrusion)
10-Intrusive Luxation (permanent teeth) apically displacement into the alveolar bone
-no mobile
-metallic percussion
-Pulp test: usually negative
PDL space may not be visible for all or part of root (especially apically)
-the CEJ is more apically to compare with adjacent teeth
-recommended radiographs:
.1 parallel P.A
.2 additional radiographs with different angles
-occ radiograph
1.immature teeth:
.spontaneous reposition (independent of the degree of intrusion)
.if no re-erupt with in 4 wk: orthodontic reposition
.monitor the pulp condition
.spontaneous revascularization may occur
.in necrotic pulp: pulp therapy
2-mature teeth:
A. less than 3 mm intrusion: allow re-eruption without intervention (if no re-erupt within 8 wk: surgical reposition and flexible splint fo 4wk or orthodontic reposition before ankyloses develops)
B.3-7 mm intrusion: surgically (preferably) or orthodontically reposition
c. more than 7 mm intrusion: surgically reposition
--the pulp will likely become necrotic (RCT should be started at 2 wk or as soon as the position of teeth allows
.use of corticosteroid or calcium hydroxide as an intra canal agent to prevent the inflammation or external resorption and then RCT
Clinical and radiographic evaluations are necessary after:
.2wk
.4wk
.8wk
.12wk
.6mo
.1yr
.then yearly for at least 5y
11-Avulsion (primary teeth) -the tooth is completely out of the socket
-the location of the missing teeth should be explored
-avulsed teeth can be embedded in soft tissue ,into nose ,ingested or aspirated
-if the avulsed teeth is not found: refer for medical evaluation, especially in patient with respiratory symptoms.
recommended radiographs:
.A parallel P.A or occ radiograph
-use of radiograph(s) to determine the avulsed or intruded teeth
avulsed primary teeth should not be replanted
-patient/parent education
Clinical examination after:
.6-8wk
.Further follow up at 6y of age is indicated to monitor eruption of the permanent teeth