A six-year follow-up study of sports-related dental injuries in children and adolescents.

The records were analyzed of 106 patients with sports-related dental traumas treated in 1983 at the public oral surgery unit in Helsinki, Finland; 51 were examined six years after injury. The mean age was 11.8 years (range 7-24 years). The woman/man ratio was 1:3. In 39% of cases, the injuries had arisen from ice hockey or skating; 30% happened during school hours; 80% were uncomplicated crown fractures, concussions or subluxations. During the six-year follow-up, of 80 teeth in 51 patients, root resorption was found in 6 teeth (7.5%), periapical lesions were noted in 2 teeth (2.5%), and obliteration of the pulp was seen in 4 teeth (5%). Three teeth (3.7%) had suffered loss of vitality. The pulp had been extirpated in 13 of the traumatized teeth (16%). In all, 13.7% of the patients were found to have complications six years later. The results showed that long follow-up periods are needed after dental injury.