Management of intraoral injuries.

Primary closure of intraoral wounds can be done up to 24 hours after the injury. A mucosal seal decreases the possibility of infection and allows the wound to heal more rapidly and less painfully than a wound left open to heal by secondary intention. Defects of the lips must be closed with exact alignment of the vermilion-cutaneous margins. Nerve repairs must be done without tension at the repair site. Parotid duct repairs are mandatory to prevent cyst and fistula formation. Anterior permanent teeth may be replanted.