The prevalence of traumatic dental injuries in primary teeth: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Arun Kumar Patnana; Ankita Chugh; Vinay Kumar Chugh; Pravin Kumar; Narasimha Rao V Vanga; Surjit Singh

doi:10.1111/edt.12640

The prevalence of traumatic dental injuries in primary teeth: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Dent Traumatol. 2021 Jun;37(3):383-399. doi: 10.1111/edt.12640. Epub 2020 Dec 20.

Authors

Arun Kumar Patnana¹, Ankita Chugh¹, Vinay Kumar Chugh¹, Pravin Kumar¹, Narasimha Rao V Vanga², Surjit Singh³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dentistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India.
² Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, GITAM Dental College and Hospital, Visakhapatnam, India.
³ Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India.

PMID: 33289328
DOI: 10.1111/edt.12640

Abstract

Background/aims: The varied prevalence of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) in primary teeth around the globe raises a serious knowledge gap in the available literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of TDI in primary teeth and also to evaluate the different factors associated with TDI in primary teeth.

Materials and methods: Comprehensive searches were performed in PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials with predefined search criteria. The primary outcome was the prevalence of TDI in primary teeth, and the secondary outcomes were the factors associated with TDI in primary teeth. Qualitative analysis was done using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale adapted for cross-sectional studies. The random-effect model was used for meta-analysis, and meta-regression analysis was done to evaluate the heterogeneity between the included studies. Meta-analysis was done using the "meta" package of "R" language. The overall quality of evidence was assessed using GRADEpro GDT software.

Results: A total of 24 cross-sectional studies met the inclusion criteria representing 4876 TDIs in 22 839 children aged between 0 and 6 years old. The overall prevalence of TDI in primary teeth was 24.2% (95% CI: 18.24-31.43, P = 0, I² = 99%). Falls contributed the highest number of TDI - 59.3% (95% CI: 41.05-76.40, P < .01, I² = 98%) - in primary teeth. The most common type of tooth fracture in primary teeth was an enamel fracture (61.9%), and prevalence of TDI in children with incompetent lip closure was 49.4%.

Conclusion: The prevalence of TDI in cross-sectional studies of primary teeth was 24.2% with very low quality of evidence. Falls contributed the highest number of TDI in primary teeth, accounting for 59.3%. Children with incompetent lip closure have the highest prevalence (49.4%) of TDI in primary teeth.

Keywords: meta-analysis; prevalence; primary teeth; systematic review; tooth fracture; traumatic dental injuries.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Review
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Child
Child, Preschool
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Prevalence
Tooth Fractures*
Tooth Injuries* / epidemiology
Tooth, Deciduous