Dental trauma
Dental trauma refers to trauma (injury) to the teeth and/or periodontium (gums, periodontal ligament, alveolar bone), and nearby soft tissues such as the lips, tongue, etc. The study of dental trauma is called dental traumatology.
Prevalence
Dental trauma is most common in younger people, accounting for 17% of injuries to the body in those aged 0–6 years compared to an average of 5% across all ages. It is more frequently observed in males compared to females. Traumatic dental injuries are more common in permanent teeth compared to deciduous teeth and usually involve the front teeth of the upper jaw.
Types
Tooth fractures
- Enamel infraction
- Enamel fracture
- Enamel-dentine fracture
- Complex fracture of tooth
- Root fracture of tooth
Enamel infraction
Enamel fracture
Enamel-dentine fracture
Complex fracture of tooth
Root fracture of tooth
Injuries of the periodontal apparatus
-
Subluxation of the tooth (tooth knocked loose)
-
Luxation of the tooth
- Intrusion of the tooth (tooth jammed into tooth socket)
-
Avulsion of the tooth (tooth knocked out)