Guidelines for the management of traumatic dental injuries. III. Primary teeth.

Resident’s Name: Brian Schmid DMD Date: 8/14/09
Article title: Guidelines for the management of traumatic dental injuries. III. Primary teeth.
Author(s): Flores, Malmgren, Andersson et al.
Journal: Dental Traumatology
Month, Year: 2007
Major topic: management of trauma to the primary dentition
Type of Article: Review
Findings: Five percent of all injuries for which people seek treatment is due to oral problems; head injuries comprise 40% of preschool injuries an among facial injuries, dental are the most common. Recommendations for the parent concerning care of the child: keep calm and concentrate on the well-being of the child, wash the wound carefully and compress the area with clean gauze or cotton for 5 minutes to stop any bleeding, seek emergency treatment with a pediatric dentist. Damage to the lips, tongue, teeth, cheek or palate in a child under 5 y.o. should be examined, including considering the possibility of abuse. Care for primary teeth requires the additional consideration that the root of primary teeth are very close to developing permanent teeth. Tooth malformation, impacted teeth and eruption disturbances in the permanent dentition are all sequelae to trauma in the primary dentition. For trauma to an anterior tooth and depending on the childs ability to cooperate, it is recommended that a standard PA, occlusal film and a film at an obtuse angle are taken to rule out root fractures as well as possible. Post treatment, recommend to the parent soft brushing after every meal, twice daily topical treatment with chlorhexidine and to rinse regularly. See charts below for clinical care and followup for a variety of primary tooth injuries.
Assessment of article: Mostly information geared toward parents. But a useful guideline when performing phone consultations or giving info to parents.