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Long-term complications and management of dental trauma in the adult patient - Part 1: fractured teeth, pulpal complications and resorption

British Dental Journal volume 237, pages 95–105 (2024)Cite this article

Abstract

Dental trauma is one of the most common injuries encountered in the younger population. This can have a long-term impact on the patient's overall quality of life as they may have to deal with the sequelae of these injuries for years to come. Young boys experience dental trauma more frequently than young girls and one of the most common outcomes of these injuries are fractured teeth. This first paper in a two-part review series aims to provide an overview of dental trauma followed by a discussion on management of fractured teeth, associated pulpal complications and resorption. These can be uncomplicated fractures involving enamel and/or dentine, or complicated fractures involving enamel, dentine and pulp. They can involve the crown, the crown and root together, or present solely as root fractures. Pulpal complications can lead to pulp necrosis or pulp canal obliteration. Resorption can be internal or external, inflammatory, or replacement type. The management of each of these injuries begins with a thorough assessment followed by initiating emergency treatment to stabilise the presenting condition. This is followed by a long-term treatment plan which aims to address the patients' aesthetic and functional requirements and provide the patient with the most suitable treatment outcome in the hope to improve their sense of wellbeing and overall quality of life.

Key points

  • This paper provides an overview of dental trauma and its relationship to fractured teeth.

  • This paper provides a review of the various types of fractured teeth and their management.

  • Clinical photos have been provided to illustrate the discussions throughout this paper with the aim to enable readers to visualise the management approaches and apply it to their daily practice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Specialty Registrar in Restorative Dentistry, Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals, UK

    Ursala Jogezai

  2. Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, Cambridge University Hospitals, UK

    Amardip Kalsi

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  1. Ursala Jogezai
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Ursala Jogezai: conceptualisation, literature review, investigation, original draft writing and editing. Amardip Kalsi: conceptualisation, reviewing and supervision.

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Correspondence to Ursala Jogezai.

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Jogezai, U., Kalsi, A. Long-term complications and management of dental trauma in the adult patient - Part 1: fractured teeth, pulpal complications and resorption. Br Dent J 237, 95–105 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-024-7641-z

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