Troy Grahl, DMD
Pediatric Dental Resident
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV
UNLV School of Dental Medicine
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Lee R. Roundy, Program Director, Pediatric Dentist
UNLV SDM Pediatric dental residency
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Pediatric dental trauma is common, with studies showing 25-30% of children will experience it by adulthood. While most trauma occurs before age 5, children in late childhood and adolescence remain at risk due to active lifestyles. The AAPD trauma guidelines are essential for managing pediatric dental trauma, emphasizing the importance of timely follow-up appointments. These guidelines provide specific timelines for follow-up to ensure proper healing, identify complications, and offer necessary treatment, based on trauma type and severity.
Case Report: An 8-year-old Caucasian female presented to the pediatric emergency department at University Medical Center after avulsing tooth #8 during an incident at home. The tooth had only 5 minutes extra-oral dry time, the guardian placed it in the buccal vestibule. Upon assessment, the alveolar socket, soft tissues, neighboring teeth, and periodontal ligament condition were evaluated. Radiographs confirmed the tooth had a closed apex. Treatment included re-implantation, splinting, endodontic therapy, and follow-up. The management plan outlined expected outcomes for closed apex avulsion and AAPD-recommended follow-up care.