March 2011

Objective: To determine the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries to primary incisors in 3-5 year-old preschool children and to study the relationship between dental injuries and age, gender and terminal plane relation. Basic research design: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1,126 preschool children aged three to five years enrolled in eleven private and public nursery schools, randomly selected in Chennai, India. Method: Data regarding the age, gender, cause and type of trauma and terminal plane relation were recorded. Maxillary and mandibular primary incisors were examined for traumatic injuries and were recorded according to the method described by Andreasen & Andreasen (1994). Data were analyzed through descriptive analysis and chi-square test. Results: Traumatic injuries to primary incisors were identified in 6.2% of children. No significant gender differences in prevalence were seen (p > 0.05). Enamel fractures (57.3%) dominated amongst the type of injuries. Majority of children who sustained traumatic dental injuries to their primary incisors were associated with mesial step molar relation. Conclusion: Mesial step molar relation may be considered one of the possible predisposing factors to trauma in primary dentition. Further, there is need to intensify oral health education targeted at both parents and teachers at nursery schools to inform them about consequences of primary teeth injuries on permanent dentition and emphasize the importance of prevention of dental injuries in children Key Words: Dental trauma, preschool children, primary incisors, terminal plane relation