engleski

Evaluation of sensitivity of teeth after mandibular fractures

The sensitivity of teeth affected anterior to a fracture between the mental and mandibular foramina has been tested and followed up until either reinnervation or a period of three years has passed. The purpose of this study was to determine the reinnervation period, the number of denervated teeth, and the clinical importance of these measures. The investigation included a sensitivity test by electrical stimuli, clinical examination, and radiological findings. Fifty patients were examined ; a total of 459 teeth were tested, and 273 of these were affected and thus had potentially impaired innervation. Tests after injury showed non-responsive teeth in 81.3% (222/273) of affected teeth. Six weeks after injury, 18.9% of teeth were reinnervated ; by 1 year after injury, 92.3% of initially non-responsive affected teeth were reinnervated. The majority of teeth (33.8%) were reinnervated in the period from 6 weeks to 3 months. All 23/186 initially non-responsive, nonaffected, contralateral corresponding teeth were reinnervated within the first 6 weeks. In the second and third years, none of the teeth were reinnervated. A year after injury, 95.3% of the incisors, 91.1% of the canines, 93.8% of the premolars, and 81.5% of the molars were reinnervated. Three years after injury, 7.6% of teeth remain denervated. During the second and third years, no reinnervation occurred ; however, clinical signs of pulp devitalisation of denervated teeth occurred in 17.6% (3/17) or 1.3% of the initially non-responsive affected teeth. The results of this investigation revealed the stability of the pulp one year after injury. Denervated teeth should not be treated if no clinical or radiological signs of devitalisation exist.

mandibular fracture; tooth sensitivity; tooth vitality; dental pulp

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