TRAUMATIC CHANGES IN THE PERIODONTAL TISSUES OF DECIDUOUS TEETH

¹ Foundation for Dental Research, Chicago College of Dental Surgery, Chicago

Traumatic injuries found in the supporting tissues of 6 deciduous dentitions, ranging in age from 9 months to 4 years, are reported in this study.

The least severe of these injuries consist of compression, ischemia, and hyalinization of the periodontal connective tissue. The most severe ones caused crushing and necrosis of the periodontal tissues and formation of hemorrhagic cysts. In most instances, the injuries were followed by undermining bone resorption and by evidence of tissue repair.

The etiology of these injuries is probably the weakness of the periodontal membrane of erupting and newly erupted teeth. During these periods, the peridontal tissues are not yet fully equipped to withstand masticatory stress. In the somewhat older jaws, the weakening of the periodontal support caused by shedding is an additional factor.

The clinical manifestations of such traumatic injuries in the deciduous dentition may be slight soreness of the erupting teeth, and, perhaps, later on ankylosis between teeth and bone by reparative formation of bone and cementum.

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