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Sennhenn-Kirchner S, Jacobs H-G. Dent Traumatol 2006; 22: 237–241

Maxillofacial trauma commonly affects the primary dentition. In a German hospital, 106 children were treated for trauma to 200 primary teeth over a 5 yr period, and 71% of these were upper central incisors. Subsequent follow-up examination of permanent teeth was performed in 15 subjects aged up to 3 yrs at the time of injury (66% with sequelae), and 25 aged 3-7 yrs (25%).

In 39 children, 20 permanent teeth were affected: 10 had enamel hypoplasia, 5 had deformed crowns or roots, and 5 were ankylosed or had eruption abnormalities. Intrusion had caused all the deformities and affected 3 other teeth, while subluxation, avulsion and root fracture of primary teeth had led to hypoplasia or eruption irregularities. The authors consider no definite prediction of damage to permanent teeth is possible at the time of primary injury, and recommend regular follow-up.