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Avulsion of permanent teeth is one of the most serious dental injuries, and a prompt and correct emergency management is very important for the prognosis. The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) has developed a consensus statement after a review of the dental literature and group discussions. Experienced researchers and clinicians from various specialties were included in the task group. The guidelines represent the current best evidence and practice based on literature research and professionals' opinion. In cases where the data did not appear conclusive, recommendations were based on the consensus opinion or majority decision of the task group. Finally, the IADT board members were giving their opinion and approval. The primary goal of these guidelines is to delineate an approach for the immediate or urgent care of avulsed permanent teeth., (© 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) of permanent teeth occur frequently in children and young adults. Crown fractures and luxations are the most commonly occurring of all dental injuries. Proper diagnosis, treatment planning and followup are important for improving a favorable outcome. Guidelines should assist dentists and patients in decision making and for providing the best care effectively and efficiently. The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) has developed a consensus statement after a review of the dental literature and group discussions. Experienced researchers and clinicians from various specialties were included in the group. In cases where the data did not appear conclusive, recommendations were based on the consensus opinion of the IADT board members. The guidelines represent the best current evidence based on literature search and professional opinion. The primary goal of these guidelines is to delineate an approach for the immediate or urgent care of TDIs. In this first article, the IADT Guidelines for management of fractures and luxations of permanent teeth will be presented., (© 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

This paper presents clinical protocols for the emergency, early and post treatment complications of the avulsed tooth. The biological basis for these protocols is presented so that the reader understands the clinical decisions that have been made. Most of the protocols described in this article, but not all, have been adopted in the official guidelines of the International Association of Dental Traumatology. Some experimental results are promising and they have therefore been included in the review to stimulate colleagues to further research., (© 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

The objectives of this study were to (i) characterize epidemiologic trends in anterior permanent tooth trauma in a sample of children and adolescents (ii) examine the relationship of crown fractures (CF) and concomitant root fractures (RF) to determine if CFs are protective against RFs and (iii) examine the radiographic evidence of RFs to determine the value of obtaining three vertical periapical radiographic projections. This was an 8-year cross-sectional study of patients aged 6-18 with anterior permanent tooth trauma. We examined cases involving maxillary central/lateral incisors for which three clearly diagnostic periapical radiographs were obtained during the initial emergency visit. Two trained and calibrated dentists served as expert examiners for the radiographic assessments. Kappa statistics were used to determine reliability. Tests for association of concomitant crown and root fractures were performed using Likelihood Ratio Chi-Square tests. The final sample included 185 teeth in 114 children. Our demographic and epidemiologic findings were comparable to those of previous studies. Experts reached this consensus: 22 RFs were detected, 9.6% (eight out of 83) teeth exhibited root fractures when no CFs was documented, and 13.7% (14 out of 102) teeth had both CFs and RFs as separate entities. Good examiner reliability was reached confirming the presence of RFs (Kappa = 0.81). The association of concomitant RFs and CFs was odds ratio = 1.97 (P = 0.052). CFs were not protective against RFs; indeed, teeth with CFs were twice as likely to have an RF as those without CFs. As the number of radiographic projections increased, RFs were identified more often; however, our data suggest that there is no reason to suspect a complete RF in preteen children unless the root exhibits clinical signs such as luxation or severe mobility. This study provides solid evidence to support obtaining multiple radiographic projections at different vertical angulations to rule out RFs in children and adolescents when RFs are suspected.

Elementary school staff can play a crucial role in managing traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) because they are often in proximity to children and are frequently called upon to assist with children's accidents. International studies reveal that elementary school personnel have little knowledge about emergency dental care and management. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, practice and experience regarding TDIs among a sample of elementary school personnel in the USA. Assessment was performed using a demographic questionnaire and a newly developed TDI survey instrument. Results revealed a wide distribution of responses. Overall, dental trauma knowledge among this group was poor. The majority of respondents were not well-versed regarding TDIs, their management, the benefits of timely care or treatment costs. However, staff reported a keen interest in receiving more TDI information and training. TDI education and management are needed among all elementary school staff members to improve the prognosis of these accidents when they occur.

The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of elementary school staff members regarding the management of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) before and after an educational intervention aimed to increase TDI knowledge. Using a newly developed reliable survey instrument, we tested our elementary school staff participants about TDI before (time(0)), immediately after (time(1)), and three months after (time(2)) the intervention. Schools were randomized into three groups: no intervention/control (C), pamphlets (P), and pamphlets + lecture (P + L). Outcomes of interest were TDI knowledge over time relative to the interventions vs controls. Statistical analysis involved a repeated measures linear model. At time(0), TDI knowledge was low among all three groups. At time(1), knowledge increased among all groups and is given by P > P+L > C. For time(2) vs time(1), the P + L group retained the knowledge while in both the C and P groups the knowledge level decreased. Between time(1) and time(2), significant differences were found between both intervention groups when compared with the control (P vs C and P + L vs C: both P < 0.05). In summary, both P and P + L groups significantly improved TDI knowledge among elementary school staff, and this difference held up over time. These interventions have the potential to improve TDI management by elementary school staff when faced with such injuries.

Trauma to the primary dentition present special problems and the management is often different as compared with permanent teeth. An appropriate emergency treatment plan is important for a good prognosis. Guidelines are useful for delivering the best care possible in an efficient manner. The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) has developed a consensus statement after a review of the dental literature and group discussions. Experienced researchers and clinicians from various specialties were included in the group. In cases in which the data did not appear conclusive, recommendations were based on the consensus opinion of the IADT board members. The guidelines represent the current best evidence based on literature research and professional opinion. In this third article out of three, the IADT Guidelines for the management of traumatic injuries in the primary dentition, are presented.

Avulsion of permanent teeth is the most serious of all dental injuries. The prognosis depends on the measures taken at the place of accident or the time immediately after the avulsion. Replantation is the treatment of choice, but cannot always be carried out immediately. An appropriate emergency management and treatment plan is important for a good prognosis. Guidelines are useful for delivering the best care possible in an efficient manner. The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) has developed a consensus statement after a review of the dental literature and group discussions. Experienced researchers and clinicians from various specialties were included in the group. In cases in which the data did not appear conclusive, recommendations were based on the consensus opinion of the IADT board members. The guidelines represent the current best evidence based on literature research and professional opinion. In this second article of three, the IADT Guidelines for management of avulsed permanent teeth are presented.

Crown fractures and luxations occur most frequently of all dental injuries. An appropriate treatment plan after an injury is important for a good prognosis. Guidelines are useful for delivering the best care possible in an efficient manner. The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) has developed a consensus statement after a review of the dental literature and group discussions. Experienced researchers and clinicians from various specialties were included in the group. In cases where the data did not appear conclusive, recommendations were based on the consensus opinion of the IADT board members. The guidelines represent the current best evidence, based on literature research and professional opinion. In this first article of three, the IADT Guidelines for management of fractures and luxations of permanent teeth will be presented.

Controversy exists among sports dentists as to whether or not a 'custom made' mouthguard is more effective in reducing the incidence of cerebral concussion than the boil-and-bite 'non-custom made' mouthguard. While members on each side remain steadfast in their opinion, not a single epidemiological study has been conducted to investigate the effect of type of mouthguard worn on the incidence of cerebral concussion. The aim of this study was to determine if there was a difference between the type of mouthguard worn and the incidence of cerebral concussions among National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I-A football players. During the 15-week 2001 college football season, trainers entered, via an interactive web site, weekly data for each game and practice sessions for the preceding week. Eighty-seven (76%) out of a possible 114 Division I teams participated. A total of 506 297 athletic exposures were recorded; 369 brain concussions were reported. The incidence of cerebral concussions per 1000 exposures was 0.73. Utilizing a risk ratio with a 95% confidence interval, no statistical difference occurred in the incidence of cerebral concussions between football players wearing custom made versus non-custom made mouthguards (0.990,1.750). In this study, there was no advantage of wearing a custom made mouthguard over a boil-and-bite mouthguard to reduce the risk of cerebral concussion in football players., (Copyright Blackwell Munksgaard, 2004)

This study investigated the effect of topical antibiotic treatment on pulp revascularization in replanted teeth. Thirty-four immature teeth were selected from three young dogs. Baseline radiographs and laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) readings were obtained. Specimens were randomly divided into four groups: Thirty-eight teeth were extracted, kept dry for 5 min, and either (Group 1) covered with minocycline mixture (G1, n = 11), (Group 2) soaked in doxycycline (G2, n = 11), or (Group 3) soaked in saline (G3-negative control, n = 6), and replanted. Teeth in Group 4 were not extracted (positive control, n = 6). Postoperative radiographs and LDF readings were obtained for 2 months after replantation. After sacrifice, the jaws were collected and processed for light microscopy. Pre- and postreplantation LDF readings and radiographs, and histologic findings were analyzed to assess revascularization. Pulp revascularization occurred in 91% (G1), 73% (G2), and 33% (G3) of the specimens. In conclusion, minocycline facilitates pulp revascularization in replanted immature teeth after replantation., (Copyright Blackwell Munksgaard, 2004.)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) treatment on the bond strengths to dentin of a resin-based composite material. Two distinct dental adhesives, Prime & Bond (P&B) NT and Single Bond (SB) were used. One hundred and twenty-seven bovine incisors were mounted in acrylic, ground flat to expose middle dentin, polished to 600-grit, and randomly assigned to 10 groups: (i) 0 days, no Ca(OH)2, P&B NT; (ii) 7 days, no Ca(OH)2, P&B NT; (iii) 7 days, Ca(OH)2, P&B NT; (iv) 30 days, no Ca(OH)2, P&B NT; (v) 30 days, Ca(OH)2, P&B NT; (vi) 0 days, no Ca(OH)2, SB; (vii) 7 days, no Ca(OH)2, SB; (viii) 7 days, Ca(OH)2, SB; (ix) 30 days, no Ca(OH)2, SB; (x) 30 days, Ca(OH)2, SB. All specimens were stored in an incubator at 37 degrees C. Specimens were then retrieved and the dentin surface was rinsed with air/water spray from a triple syringe. Dentin was etched with 37% phosphoric acid (PA) for 15 s, rinsed, blot dried, and coated with adhesive according to manufacturer's instructions. The adhesive was light cured for 10 s, and Filtek Z250 was applied to the surface with a #5 gelatin capsule and light cured for 160 s. Shear bond strengths were measured for each specimen in an Instron unit at a cross-head speed of 0.5 mm min(-1). The data were subjected to anova and Duncan post-hoc tests. Mean shear bond strengths for P&B NT ranged from 8.02 to 11.79 MPa. There was no significant difference between P&B NT groups treated with or without Ca(OH)2 at any time interval. Mean shear bond strengths for SB ranged from 14.70 to 19.54 MPa. No significant difference was found between SB groups treated with or without Ca(OH)2 at 7 days. At 30 days, SB with Ca(OH)2 was significantly higher than SB without Ca(OH)2. Short-term Ca(OH)2 treatment had no detrimental effect on dentin bond strengths to the ethanol or acetone-based adhesive resin systems tested.

The type of liquid medium used to store avulsed teeth prior to replantation has been shown to affect the long-term prognosis. One possibility is that some storage media contain hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) that may be toxic to periodontal ligament cells. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine if the addition of catalase to storage media improved the prognosis of replanted dog teeth. Forty-eight mongrel premolar roots were endodontically treated, extracted, randomly divided and placed into one of four storage media: Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS), containing no antioxidant); Viaspan, containing the antioxidant, glutathione, or the same two media supplemented with catalase(100 U ml(-1)) for 1, 5, or 26 h prior to replantation. After 2 months, the dogs were euthanized and the roots histologically examined to evaluate the attachment tissues. Regardless of the storage medium used, overall healing was excellent and only 4% of the roots displayed inflammatory or replacement resorption. When roots from the different storage media were compared, those stored in HBSS were found to display the highest incidence of surface resorption (55.7%). Supplementation of HBSS with catalase resulted in a lower level of surface resorption (48.6%) that was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Roots stored in Viaspan - or + catalase displayed even lower levels of surface resorption (41.3 and 38.2%, respectively). The improvement observed with catalase-supplemented HBSS was confined to the 45-min incubation period; only Viaspan - or + catalase reduced surface resorption at the 5- and 26-h incubations. Collectively, these data demonstrate that roots stored in media containing antioxidant activity undergo less surface resorption. These results suggest that low levels of H2O2 in storage media for avulsed teeth may adversely affect periodontal ligament cells.

The aim of this review article is to supplement the recently published International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) guidelines on treatment of the avulsed tooth. A thorough discussion on the reasoning behind each guideline is presented. In addition, the author's views on alternate treatment strategies and future directions, along with recent research on the subject of the avulsed tooth, are also presented.