Parental Knowledge of Pre-Hospital Management of Avulsed Permanent Tooth in Children at Kath

BACKGROUND: Permanent tooth avulsion is one of the severe forms of dental traumatic injuries. The immediate action taken at the site of the accident is crucial to the prognosis of the tooth. Replantation is considered as the treatment of choice. OBJECTIVE: The study was undertaken to assess the knowledge of parents who accompany their children to the pediatric dental clinic, KATH on the pre-hospital management of avulsed permanent tooth in children. METHODS: A researcher administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the knowledge of pre-hospital management of avulsed permanent tooth from 83 parents who accompanied their wards to the pediatric dental clinic at KATH. RESULTS: A total of 83 parents were involved in the study. 30 (36%) were males while 53 (64%) were females. The majority of the parents (57%) were either university trained or had attended college of education. Only 32 parents (39%) were aware of the possibility of replantation. Majority of the parents chose non-physiologic media as the transport media of choice and only 10% would attempt self-replantation before seeking professional help. 76 parents (92%) had no previous education on pre-hospital management of avulsed tooth. CONCLUSION: The results obtained from this study indicate that parental knowledge on pre-hospital management of avulsed permanent tooth is low hence the need for massive public educational campaigns.

Separated root tip formation associated with a fractured tubercle of dens evaginatus: A case report

BACKGROUND Several previous studies have reported an unusual root formation in which a fractured apical fragment of an immature root continued to develop independent of the main root after trauma to an immature tooth.To date,there have been only rare reports of the continuing apical formation of the fractured root associated with dens evaginatus(DE).This paper presents a case of a separated root tip formation associated with a fractured tubercle of DE.CASE SUMMARY An 11-year-old boy was referred for gingival sinus on the buccal side of the right mandibular second premolar(tooth#45).Clinically,tooth#45 was free of caries,but there was a sign of a fractured tubercle of DE on the occlusal surface.Radiography showed that the root canal of tooth#45 was widely radiolucent.A separated root apex was found apically under the main root and was nearly completely formed with an apical orifice at the apical tip.Tooth#45 was diagnosed as tubular fracture of DE with chronic apical periodontitis.A revascularization technique was recommended to treat the tooth.At 3-mo and 1-yr follow-up,the patient remained asymptomatic.Periapical radiography revealed that the separated root tip distally drifted with closure of the apex.However,the root length and thickness of the main root did not increased.CONCLUSION Clinicians should be aware that even if tubercle of DE is fractured in an immature tooth,the root tip may be separated from the main root and completely formed.