Incisor trauma in a Turkish preschool population: prevalence and socio-economic risk factors.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of traumatic injuries of the primary incisors in preschool children from 2 to 5 years old in South-Eastern Anatolia, Turkey. Additionally, the relationship between traumatic dental injuries, parents' education level, family income, size of incisal overjet and the presence of anterior open bite were examined.


BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN
A cross-sectional survey


CLINICAL SETTINGS
Data were collected through oral examinations and structured interviews, and included socio-economic indicators.


PARTICIPANTS
A total of 727 children of both genders were included in the study. 122 of these children were aged 2; 183 aged 3; 178 aged 4 and 186 aged 5.


RESULTS
The prevalence of dental injuries was 8.0% (n = 58). The highest frequency of trauma in the primary teeth was observed at the age of 4. Boys experienced more dental injuries than girls, 12.2% and 4.0%, respectively. The most common crown fracture was in enamel only (57%) followed by crown fracture of enamel and dentin (19%).


CONCLUSION
The prevalence of dental injuries in Turkish preschool children was very low. The children with incisal overjet greater than 5mm and anterior open bite experienced more dental injuries in primary teeth than their counterparts with normal occlusion. Socio-economic indicators were not statistically significantly associated with the occurrence of traumatic dental injuries.