Tooth crown fractures in 3-year-old Andalusian children.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of tooth crown fractures affecting primary incisors of 3-year-old Andalusian children. METHODS Clinicians examined 337 three-year-old children (mean age=3.6 years) of Seville, Andalusia, southern Spain. They examined the children for several dental and oral conditions, including tooth trauma. RESULTS Crown fractures were found in 15% of the examined children. The prevalence of tooth crown fractures was significantly higher in males (18%) than in females (10%) (P=.04; odds ratio:0.5). In both genders, the upper central incisors had the most fractures, 77% in males and 71% in females. The most common crown fracture was found in enamel only (82%), followed by fracture into dentin (12%), and fracture involving the dental pulp (7%). CONCLUSIONS Dentists have a responsibility to examine primary tooth injuries at the initial presentation of children because a dental injury to a primary tooth may include more severe injuries, such as dento-alveolar fractures.