Dental avulsion

Dental avulsion is the complete displacement of a tooth from its socket in alveolar bone owing to trauma.^[1]

Management

Main article: Treatment of knocked-out (avulsed) teeth

Dental avulsion is a real dental emergency in which prompt management (within 20–40 minutes of injury) effects the prognosis of the tooth.^[2] The avulsed permanent tooth should be gently but well rinsed under tap water, with care taken not to damage the surface of the root which may have living periodontal fiber and cells. Once the tooth and mouth are clean an attempt can be made to re-plant in its original socket within the alveolar bone and later splinted by a dentist for several weeks.^[3] Failure to re-plant the avulsed tooth within the first 40 minutes after the injury may result in a less favorable prognosis for the tooth.^[3] If the tooth cannot be immediately replaced in its socket, follow the directions for Treatment of knocked-out (avulsed) teeth and store it in ice water, cold milk or saliva and take it to an emergency room or a dentist. If the mouth is sore or injured, cleansing of the wound may be necessary, along with stitches, local anesthesia, and an update of tetanus immunization if the mouth was contaminated with soil. Management of injured primary teeth differs from management of permanent teeth; avulsed primary tooth should not be re-planted (to avoid damage to the permanent dental crypt).^[4]

See also

• Dental emergency
• Dental trauma

References

1. ^ Zadik Y, Levin L (February 2009). "Oral and facial trauma among paratroopers in the Israel Defense Forces". Dent Traumatol 25 (1): 100–102. doi:10.1111/j.1600-9657.2008.00719.x. PMID 19208020. 
2. ^ Zadik Y (December 2008). "Algorithm of first-aid management of dental trauma for medics and corpsmen". Dent Traumatol 24 (6): 698–701. doi:10.1111/j.1600-9657.2008.00649.x. PMID 19021668. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Flores MT, Andersson L, Andreasen JO, et al. The International Association of Dental Traumatology (June 2007). "Guidelines for the management of traumatic dental injuries. II. Avulsion of permanent teeth". Dent Traumatol 23 (3): 130–136. doi:10.1111/j.1600-9657.2007.00605.x. PMID 17511833. 
4. ^ Flores MT, Malmgren B, Andersson L, et al. The International Association of Dental Traumatology (August 2007). "Guidelines for the management of traumatic dental injuries. III. Primary teeth". Dent Traumatol 23 (4): 196–202. doi:10.1111/j.1600-9657.2007.00627.x. PMID 17635351.