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Dental Sequelae of Pediatric Maxillofacial Trauma
1Division of Pediatric Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Advocate Children’s Hospital, Park Ridge, IL,
2Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
3Division of Pediatric Dentistry, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Journal of Pediatric Dentistry 2017; 5(2): 50-53 DOI: 10.4103/jpd.jpd_2_18
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Abstract

Purpose: Our goal was to explore dental complications in the pediatric population following facial
trauma and identify those at risk. Patients and Methods: We queried children with fractures of
tooth‑supporting regions presenting from 2000 to 2014. Data elements included demographics,
treatment method, and dental outcome measures. Results: A total of 117 subjects were identified.
The average age at injury was 10.41 years, and average follow‑up was 2.9 years. Fractures were
grouped as mandibular (62.39%), maxillary (22.22%), or combination (15.39%). Dentition at time
of injury was classified as primary (17.95%), mixed (38.46%), or permanent (43.59%). Conservative management was employed in 41.88%, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in 49.57%, and closed reduction and external fixation in 8.55%. The majority (67.52%) did not experience any dental trauma or sequela. Dental avulsion (10.26%), subluxation (10.26%), dysgenesis (5.13%), and development of a crossbite (5.13%), openbite (3.42%), and occlusal cant (0.85%) were observed. Avulsion was more likely in subjects requiring ORIF (P < 0.05). Development of an openbite, crossbite, or occlusal cant was more likely in subjects requiring ORIF or with combination fractures (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Fracture severity, treatment method, and dental age are all strong predictors for adverse dental complications. Treating specialists should be cognizant of the increase in risk of complication in these patients.