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Dental Trauma or Infection Clinical Pathway, Emergency Department – Luxation Injuries of Permanent Teeth

Dental Trauma or Infection Clinical Pathway — Emergency Department

Luxation Injuries of Permanent Teeth

The primary concern of luxation injuries in permanent teeth is increased mobility of the tooth which results in pain, and in some cases, injury to the root and nerve of the tooth. Treatment of these injuries depends on the extent of mobility, and frequently, these teeth require splinting in the emergency department and possible root canals in the future.

Injury Clinical Signs Management Follow-Up
Subluxation
  • Increased mobility but no displacement from socket with or without biting
  • Associated with:
    • Sensitivity to palpation and percussion of the tooth
  • If no increased mobility upon biting, no need for emergent treatment
  • Consult Dental
  • Increased mobility upon biting may need splinting
  • Diet
  • Soft food diet for at least 3 days
  • Analgesia
  • NSAIDs/Acetaminophen
  • Oral Care
  • Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12%
Personal dentist or Penn Dental Medicine
Extrusive Luxation
  • Tooth is extruded from gingiva and socket, giving it an elongated appearance
  • Associated with:
    • Bleeding/blood around the gingival margin
    • Mobility and slight displacement of tooth
Extrusive luxation
  • Consult Dental
  • Reposition and splint
  • Splint will remain on for at least 2 wks
  • Diet
  • Soft food diet for the duration of the splint being in place
  • Analgesia
  • NSAIDs/Acetaminophen
  • Oral Care
  • Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12%
Personal dentist or Penn Dental Medicine
Lateral Luxation
  • Displacement of tooth outside of the bony confines of the alveolar socket with crown displaced toward the tongue
  • Tooth may display mobility or immobility depending on severity of alveolar fracture
Lateral luxation
  • Consult Dental
  • Reposition and splint
  • Splint will remain on for at least 2 wks, 4 wks being preferable
  • Diet
  • Soft food diet for the duration of the splint being in place
  • Analgesia
  • NSAIDs/Acetaminophen
  • Oral Care
  • Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12%
Personal dentist or Penn Dental Medicine
Intrusive Luxation
  • Tooth is displaced apically (in the axial dimension) into the alveolar bone
  • Tooth is likely immobile
  • Consult Dental
  • Reposition and splint
  • Diet
  • Soft food diet for the duration of the splint being in place
  • Analgesia
  • NSAIDs/Acetaminophen
  • Oral Care
  • Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12%
Personal dentist or Penn Dental Medicine to assess potential need for root canal

 

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