Injuries of teeth in childhood

Injuries to teeth and soft tissue structures are common in children. The period of growth and development of children is a very sensitive and specific so and injuries occurred in this age alone require special and different treatment from that of adults.

Such violations shall include both milk teeth and permanent teeth. Usually the trauma of the facial area affecting the furthest projecting parts and therefore teeth are most exposed to trauma.

Dental injuries often occur during downturns (when running, falling out of bed, ladder, bicycle) or by impact with the object (in sport, in traffic accidents). Providing proper first aid is crucial to preserve the tooth.

Injuries of tooth vs injuries of retaining apparatus

Depending on the severity, injuries divide into two groups:

1. Injuries of the tooth, ie violations of hard dental tissues;

2. Injury to the supporting apparatus of the tooth.

Fracture or breaking of teeth usually is found in permanent teeth, while in milk teeth are frequent violations of the supporting apparatus. The reason for this separation is that the roots of the milk teeth are small, and in the period when kids are active they are almost affected by permanent teeth.

Division of tooth fractures

In relation to what part of the tooth has engulfed the fracture, they are divided into four classes as follows:

Class I - when fracture line occupies only the outer part of the tooth that is enamel;

Class II - fracture affects the deeper layers, but the pulp is still intact;

Class III - when the fracture leads to opening of the pulp;

Class IV - fracture of the tooth root.

According to the type of the fracture the therapy depends, so class I fractures are treated very simply, while those of class IV indicate extraction of the tooth.

Injury to the supporting dental apparatus

Violations of retaining dental apparatus are involving tissue that surrounds the tooth. More often affecting the upper teeth as well as bone fractures depends on the severity of the injury to distinguish several types of luxations:

Shock of the tooth - the easiest kind of luxation when there is no change in the position of the tooth, it is present only painful tenderness to the touch which passes spontaneously in a few days;

Shaken tooth - heavier type of injury and here the previous tooth position is unchanged, but with expressive shake and treatment consists in strengthening the injured tooth to the adjacent teeth using a special splints;

Embossing tooth - may be partially or completely depending on how much of the tooth is imprinted in the alveolus, the treatment is orthodontic in order to put the tooth down to its original position;

Outbursts of the tooth - usually are attacked upper central incisors and are the most difficult type of injury in this group. In this case it is best, if possible, the tooth can be washed with water or pour milk or if this is not possible you can use saliva of the patient who received this injury. The period of reinstallation must not be longer than 2 h because then you are most likely to restore the tooth in the alveolus. Then it is necessary to fix the tooth to the adjacent teeth with a splint and remain fixed for a period of 2 weeks. This period is mandatory ant tetanus and antibiotic therapy.

Forecast of injuries

The final effect of the treatment depends both from the therapist and the patient, and the type of injury that occurred. Mild injuries have a better prognosis and of course a better chance for long-term preservation of the tooth in the mouth.