Trauma
Dento-alveolar Trauma
aka Traumatic Dental Injury · TDI
Injuries involving teeth, periodontium and alveolar bone; management is time-critical and follows IADT 2020 guidelines.
Guideline
IADT 2020
Avulsion splint
Flexible 2 wk
Root fracture splint
Flexible 4 wk
§ overviewOverview
Injury to the teeth, supporting tissues, and alveolar bone caused by acute mechanical trauma.
§ epidemiologyEpidemiology
Peak ages 2–4 (falls) and 8–12 (sports); maxillary central incisors most affected.
§ clinicalClinical Features
- 01Fractured, displaced, or missing teeth
- 02Mobility, occlusal interference
- 03Gingival laceration, alveolar step
- 04Vitality changes on follow-up
§ investigationsInvestigations
- 01Multiple periapical radiographs (parallel, occlusal, 45°)
- 02CBCT for root/alveolar fractures
- 03Vitality testing (baseline and follow-up)
- 04Photographs; document per IADT chart
§ classificationClassification
- 01Andreasen/WHO: enamel fracture, enamel–dentin fracture, complicated crown fracture, crown–root fracture, root fracture, concussion, subluxation, extrusive/lateral luxation, intrusive luxation, avulsion, alveolar fracture
§ treatmentTreatment
- 01Enamel fracture: smooth or composite restoration
- 02Enamel-dentin: composite; monitor vitality
- 03Complicated crown fracture: pulp cap / partial pulpotomy (Cvek) if <24 h; RCT if mature
- 04Root fracture: reposition, flexible splint 4 wk (cervical: 4 mo)
- 05Extrusion: reposition, flexible splint 2 wk
- 06Lateral luxation: reposition, flexible splint 4 wk
- 07Intrusion: monitor if immature/<3mm; orthodontic/surgical repositioning if mature/severe
- 08Avulsion: replant ASAP; storage in HBSS/milk/saliva; flexible splint 2 wk; systemic doxycycline; tetanus check; RCT within 7–10 days for mature apex
- 09Alveolar fracture: reposition, rigid splint 4 wk
§ complicationsComplications
- 01Pulp necrosis
- 02Pulp canal obliteration
- 03Root resorption (surface, inflammatory, replacement/ankylosis)
- 04Loss of tooth
§ prognosisPrognosis
Depends on extra-alveolar time, storage medium, root maturity and periodontal ligament vitality — best outcome if avulsed tooth replanted within 5 min.
§ examKey Examination Points
- 01Extra-alveolar time and storage medium (avulsion)
- 02Test vitality and record baseline
§ revisionQuick Revision Summary
- 01IADT 2020 · replant ASAP · HBSS best medium · 2 wk flexible splint for avulsion
§ vivaBDS Viva Questions
- 01Describe management of avulsed permanent incisor.
- 02What is Cvek pulpotomy?
- 03Types of root resorption?
§ mcqsMCQs — Assessment (3)
Question 1
Best storage medium for avulsed tooth:
Question 2
Splint duration for avulsion:
Question 3
Optimal extra-alveolar time:
References
- Fouad AF et al. Dent Traumatol 2020 — IADT Guidelines
Draft — pending faculty review. Educational use only; verify against current guidelines and primary sources before clinical application.