Dental Trauma at a University Dental Clinic in Milan including the SARS-CoV-2 Period

Abstract

The aim of this study i.e., is to present the distribution of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) in 306 patients registered at the Unit of Dental Emergencies at a University Dental Clinic in Milan, Italy, between June 2019 and May 2021. This time frame includes the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Information regarding age, gender, number and type of injured teeth, type of traumatic injury, and data on where or how the injury happened were recorded. Seventy-nine percent of patients can be classified as pediatric (under 14 years old), and in all age groups, male patients were found to be more susceptible (1.6:1). A total of 480 teeth were involved, 59% of which were deciduous, and 41% permanent. The most affected teeth in both dentitions were upper central incisors. In deciduous teeth, periodontal lesions were more common, whereas in permanent dentitions, dental fractures were diagnosed more often. Most data found in this study confirms the results found in the literature. The biggest difference, due to changes in daily routine during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, can be found by analyzing the incidence and etiology. As a matter of fact, there was a decrease in school accidents, whereas domestic falls remained constant.

Traumatic dental injuries in children: experience during the Covid-19 pandemic and parents’ knowledge about their management

“…However, this comparison bet ween the t wo periods should be made cautiously, because the interval corresponding to the period prior to the pandemic, in most cases, extends for a greater number of months in the child's life than the period of social isolation (approximately 12 to 15 months after the beginning of the pandemic). A study by Pederielli et al, 10 conducted with individuals of all ages during the pandemic, showed a decrease in the frequency of TDI cases during the social isolation period, compared with the months before and after the pandemic. The authors suggested that the risk of TDI was reduced by indoor life during this period.…”

“…The scientific community reports that the most frequent cause of a TDI is falling from a height. 8 Furthermore, since TDIs occur more often at or around the home, 9,10 children are at a higher risk of most traumatic accidents in this environment. Therefore, social isolation was unlikely to result in a decrease in the incidence of TDIs requiring treatment.…”

“…[14][15][16][17][18] The resulting changes in physical appearance may be associated with feelings of shame when smiling, laughing, or showing one's teeth; difficulties in speech and social relationships; irritability; and difficulty in maintaining a healthy emotional state. 10,19 In addition to the psychological and emotional impacts, children with deciduous teeth, who are affected by a TDI, may also suffer damage to the underlying permanent dentition, such as hypoplasia, discoloration, delayed eruption time, and dental malformation. [20][21][22][23] Apart from the epidemiological aspects of TDIs during the COVID-19 pandemic, appropriate emergency intervention had to be provided at the time of the accident to improve the prognosis of these injuries.…”

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiological characteristics of permanent dental injury in Xi’an of China: A retrospective study

“…This is the largest quarantine attempt in human history to prevent the transmission of an infectious respiratory disease. [ 10 ] Dental traumatology is a widespread public healthcare problem. It can be influenced by various factors, such as socioeconomic status or environment.…”

Reattachment of Fractured Tooth Fragment by Multidisciplinary Treatment Approach

“…Most of these injuries occur in the anterior teeth, and therefore cause phonetic and functional, as well as cosmetic problems. A recent report noted that the teeth most commonly affected by dental trauma were the upper central incisors 32) . Dental trauma can sometimes cause the tooth to lose its integrity, and it can also be partially or totally displaced from its anatomical position.…”