Abstract

Rania Abdallah Al Saddi, Maan Yacoub Alfar*, Nidal Mouhamed Alhabahbeh, Ruba khalaf Al Qaisi and Jehad Ahmad Almassa‟Feh

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study sought to examine, in the light of a two-year follow-up, the diagnostic and prognostic value of vitality tests in teeth that suffered a fracture in the enamel and dentin without pulp exposure, to assess the period in which late pathologic changes may occur, and to determine the recommended time intervals for follow-up examinations and review. Methods: Seventy children, aged 8 to 14 years old, attending King Hussein Medical Center and Queen Rania Alabdallah Hospital for Children, who sustained traumatic injuries to the permanent teeth with uncomplicated crown fracture confined to enamel and dentin were examined and followed up prospectively. Eighty-five traumatized permanent Maxillary central Incisors were included in this study. The data of this study were entered to SPSS program for statistical analysis. Pearson?s chi-squared test was used. In all the evaluations, p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Forty-four (62.9%) males and 26 (37.1%) females with a mean age of 10.5 years were selected for this study. Eighty-five traumatized permanent Maxillary central Incisors were examined both clinically and radiographically, 40 (47%) right central incisors and 45 (53%) left central incisors. 87% of these teeth were “vital” at the initial examination, and most of these remained vital throughout the two years. Most pathologic changes occurred within six months after the trauma. A strong correlation was found between teeth vitality and time elapsed since trauma to presentation. In less than 14 days of attendance, there were 17 vital and 5 non-vital teeth, whereas in more than 15 days, there were 29 vital and 34 non-vital teeth. Conclusion: It is recommended that the follow-up review should be performed according to the time interval; it was found that the safety margin of time interval is less than six months after the trauma. Moreover, patients had the best management outcome was within fourteen days following traumatic dental injury.