The prevalence of traumatic dental injuries: a 24-month survey

J Dent Child (Chic). 2007 Sep-Dec;74(3):194-9.

Abstract

The aim of the present investigation was to assess the prevalence of dental traumatic injuries in children referred to Queen Fabiola Children's Hospital, Free University of Brussels, Belgium. This study was based on the clinical data of 457 traumatized teeth in 214 children. Most injuries involved 2 teeth (51%). Of these, maxillary central incisors were the most affected teeth (89%). The highest frequency of trauma occurred between 2 and 4 years of age. Falls were the most common cause of injury in both girls and boys. The most common type of injury in the primary and permanent teeth was subluxation. Gingival and mucosal laceration was the most common type of soft tissue lesion (61%). Only 42% of children came for dental treatment on the same day that they were injured.

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data
  • Accidents, Traffic / statistics & numerical data
  • Adolescent
  • Age Distribution
  • Belgium / epidemiology
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incisor / injuries
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Sex Distribution
  • Time Factors
  • Tooth Injuries / classification
  • Tooth Injuries / epidemiology*
  • Tooth Injuries / therapy
  • Tooth, Deciduous / injuries