Dental trauma in primary dentition and the importance of its preservation until the eruption of permanent successor: a 6-year follow-up case report

Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) are a public health concern that requires special attention in primary dentition due to the sequel that can be originated in permanent dentition. This paper aims to report a dental trauma injury highlighting the importance of follow-up the traumatized primary tooth until the eruption of its permanent successor. A 3-year-old female patient referred to a Dental Trauma Care Program (DTCP) in a Brazilian Public University after falling from her own height with the involvement of the deciduous maxillary left central incisor. The child's mother did not seek immediate care. The patient did not have any complaint and the tooth presented an enamel fracture during the clinical examination without radiographic alterations. The procedure performed was occlusal wear and insertion of the patient into the DTCP. After a 6-months clinical and radiographic follow-up, the primary maxillary left central incisor presented crown discoloration and periapical bone rarefaction. The treatment was pulpectomy followed by restoration of the tooth. In the 3-year follow-up, prolonged retention occurred and tooth extraction was the treatment of choice. After a 6-year follow-up, the permanent teeth erupted without any sequelae. TDIs are frequent in the primary dentition and, in some circumstances may interfere with the normal development of the permanent tooth causing irreversible sequelae. This case report reinforces the importance of seeking immediate care whenever dental traumas occur. Besides, a long-term follow-up of the traumatized tooth is essential for successful outcomes. Clinical and radiographic monitoring is fundamental to help dental professionals to decide the best treatment and to minimize potential complications.