ABSTRACT
Background:
Sports-related dental trauma is a prevalent issue among children and adolescents, particularly in contact sports such as football and basketball. Such injuries often result in aesthetic, functional, and psychological consequences, necessitating prompt treatment for optimal outcomes.
Materials and Methods:
This retrospective study analyzed 100 cases of sports-related dental trauma treated in the last 2 years. Data regarding the type of sport, nature of the injury, treatment timing, and outcomes were collected and analyzed using SPSS software. Statistical methods included descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests to evaluate the prevalence and types of injuries, while logistic regression assessed the impact of treatment timing on outcomes.
Results:
The majority of injuries occurred in males (70%), with the highest prevalence observed in the 6-10 years age group (40%). Contact sports, such as football (40%) and basketball (30%), were the leading contributors to dental trauma. Tooth fractures (50%) were the most common injury, followed by avulsions (30%). Treatment outcomes varied significantly based on timing: immediate intervention within 30 min resulted in an 80% success rate, while delayed treatment (1-24 hours) showed a 50% success rate. Late treatment beyond 24 h had a success rate of only 20%.
Conclusion:
Dental trauma in sports remains a significant concern, with contact sports posing the highest risk. Prompt treatment is essential to minimize complications and ensure favorable outcomes. Preventive measures, including the use of mouthguards and education on emergency dental care, are critical to reducing the prevalence and severity of such injuries.
KEYWORDS: Adolescents, children, dental trauma, outcomes, prevalence, prevention, sports injuries
INTRODUCTION
Sports-related dental trauma is a significant public health concern, particularly among children and adolescents engaged in contact sports. These injuries not only affect the aesthetics and functionality of the teeth but also have psychological and social implications.[1] Sports such as football, basketball, and hockey pose a high risk of dental trauma due to their physical nature, despite the availability of protective gear like mouthguards.[2]
Dental injuries commonly include fractures, avulsions, and luxations, with anterior teeth being the most affected. These injuries often require immediate attention to prevent long-term complications, such as infections or permanent tooth loss.[3] However, delays in treatment are frequent due to a lack of awareness among athletes, parents, and coaches about the importance of early intervention and appropriate management of dental trauma.[4,5]
The prevalence of sports-related dental trauma varies globally, influenced by factors such as age, gender, type of sport, and availability of preventive measures.[6] Studies indicate that males are at a higher risk than females due to greater participation in contact sports.[7] Furthermore, younger athletes are particularly vulnerable due to immature dentition and less developed motor skills.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study design
This retrospective cohort study analyzed cases of sports-related dental trauma treated in the last 2 years. The study aimed to assess the prevalence, types of injuries, and treatment outcomes in children and adolescents.
Sample size and population
The study included 100 cases of dental trauma in individuals aged 6-18 years. All cases were sports-related and met the inclusion criteria.
Inclusion criteria
Dental trauma directly associated with sports activities.
Patients aged 6-18 years.
Availability of complete medical records with follow-up data.
Exclusion criteria
Dental trauma not related to sports activities.
Incomplete medical records or missing follow-up data.
Data collection
Data were collected from patient records, focusing on:
Demographics: Age and gender.
Type of sport: Sports categorized as contact (e.g., football, basketball, hockey) or noncontact (e.g., gymnastics, swimming).
Nature of injury: Types of injuries recorded included fractures, avulsions, luxations, and others.
Treatment: Information on treatment provided, including timing (immediate, delayed, or late).
Outcomes: Success rates and complications recorded during follow-ups.
Outcome measures
The primary outcomes were treatment success rates and long-term complications, such as tooth loss or infections. Treatment success was defined as the absence of adverse outcomes and the retention of the affected tooth.
Statistical analysis
Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 25).
RESULTS
Baseline characteristics of study participants
Out of 100 cases of sports-related dental trauma, 70% were males and 30% were females. The majority of injuries occurred in the 6–10 years age group (40%), followed by 11–14 years (35%) and 15–18 years (25%) [Table 1].
Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of study participants
| Characteristic | Number | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Age Group | ||
| 6–10 years | 40 | 40 |
| 11–14 years | 35 | 35 |
| 15–18 years | 25 | 25 |
| Gender | ||
| Male | 70 | 70 |
| Female | 30 | 30 |
Prevalence of dental trauma by sport
Football accounted for the highest proportion of dental injuries (40%), followed by basketball (30%), hockey (15%), and other sports, such as gymnastics and swimming (15%) [Table 2].
Table 2.
Prevalence of dental trauma by sport
| Sport | Number | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Football | 40 | 40 |
| Basketball | 30 | 30 |
| Hockey | 15 | 15 |
| Other sports | 15 | 15 |
Types of dental injuries
Tooth fractures were the most frequent injury (50%), followed by avulsions (30%), luxations (15%), and others, such as dental concussions (5%) [Table 3].
Table 3.
Types of dental injuries
| Type of Injury | Number | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Tooth fractures | 50 | 50 |
| Avulsions | 30 | 30 |
| Luxations | 15 | 15 |
| Others | 5 | 5 |
Treatment outcomes based on timing
The success rate of treatment was highest (80%) when provided within 30 min of the injury. Delayed treatment (1–24 h) resulted in a 50% success rate, while late treatment (>24 h) had the lowest success rate at 20% [Table 4].
Table 4.
Treatment outcomes based on timing
| Treatment Timing | Success Rate | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate (<30 min) | 80 | 80 |
| Delayed (1–24 h) | 50 | 50 |
| Late (>24 h) | 20 | 20 |
The baseline characteristics of participants are shown in Table 1, which highlights the age and gender distribution. The prevalence of dental trauma across different sports is detailed in Table 2, showing that football and basketball are the leading contributors to injuries. The types of dental injuries observed during the study are summarized in Table 3, with tooth fractures being the most common. Finally, treatment outcomes based on timing are provided in Table 4, emphasizing the critical importance of immediate intervention for favorable results.
DISCUSSION
The findings of this study emphasize the significant burden of dental trauma associated with sports activities, particularly among children and adolescents. The results align with previous research highlighting football and basketball as the leading sports contributing to dental injuries due to their high-contact nature.[1] The male predominance observed in this study (70%) is consistent with other studies, which attribute this to higher male participation in contact sports.[2,3]
Tooth fractures were identified as the most common injury type, followed by avulsions and luxations. These findings are in line with the literature, which reports that anterior teeth are most susceptible to trauma due to their prominent position in the dental arch.[4] The prevalence of fractures underscores the need for better protective measures, such as custom-made mouthguards, which have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of dental trauma.[5]
The timing of treatment emerged as a critical factor in determining outcomes. Immediate treatment within 30 min of the injury resulted in an 80% success rate, whereas delayed or late treatments significantly compromised outcomes, with success rates dropping to 50% and 20%, respectively. These findings support the existing guidelines, which emphasize the importance of early intervention to prevent complications such as infections and tooth loss.[6,7]
Despite the availability of protective gear and guidelines for managing dental trauma, delays in seeking treatment remain a common issue. This highlights the need for increased awareness among athletes, coaches, and parents about the importance of prompt dental care. Educational programs and first-aid training specific to dental emergencies could improve the timely management of such injuries.[1,3]
Another critical aspect is the role of follow-up care in ensuring favorable outcomes. Long-term monitoring is essential to address potential complications, such as root resorption or pulpal necrosis, which may occur even after initial treatment.[5,6,8,9,10] Dental practitioners should emphasize the importance of adherence to follow-up schedules to minimize long-term sequelae.
CONCLUSION
Sports-related dental trauma is a prevalent issue among children and adolescents, particularly in high-contact sports like football and basketball. Tooth fractures and avulsions are the most common injuries, with outcomes significantly influenced by the timing of treatment. Immediate intervention yields the best results, highlighting the importance of prompt care and awareness. Preventive measures, such as the mandatory use of mouthguards and education on dental emergency management, are essential to reduce the incidence and severity of these injuries.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
Funding Statement
Nil.
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