Evaluation of spontaneous alignment of intrusive type of fracture to primary anterior teeth

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the success rate for the treatment method of spontaneous alignment of intrusive type of fracture to primary anterior teeth.

This treatment procedure was carried out on 20 patients who visited the Paedodontic Clinic, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University ofPeradeniya with the intrusive type of fracture to the primary anterior teeth. Twenty primary upper central incisor and five primary upper lateral incisors were selected for this study.

In the first visit the length of the intruded crown was measured from the incisal edge to the gingival margin in all cases. Periapical radiographs were taken and the position of the crown were recorded.

After the diagnosis, these patients were given antibiotics and the patients were advised to wash their mouth with salt water every after meals. The parents were advised to bring the children to the clinic if the children get any pain or any complications. These patients were called every two weeks and the length of the intruded crown from incisal edge to gingival margin was measured. This procedure was carried until the intruded tooth came to the correct alignment. These measurements and adiographic findings were recorded.

The five year follow-up study showed that this type of treatment was successful in these patients. 78.0 % of the injured teeth erupted to normal alignment without any problems. In some cases (4.0 % )the injured teeth erupted, palatally inclined out of occlusion. 10.0 % of the injured teeth had continuos infection around the gingival tissue. In 8.0 % of the cases the apex of the injured teeth were penetrated through the gingiva.

This study showed that the majority of the cases were successful during the five year follow up study. The common failure was due to continuos infections. Other cause for failure was the degree of damage to the tooth surrounding tissues.