Luxation of Primary Teeth

A luxated tooth is loose and has some lateral displacement, but remains in its socket.

Treatment

  • Management depends on degree of mobility and displacement.
  • Highly mobile teeth or teeth interfering with occlusion need immediate dental referral.
  • Less traumatized teeth require good oral hygiene, a soft diet, and dental referral in one day to one week based on symptoms.

Dental Care & Expected Outcome

  • Dentist will take a radiograph.
  • Highly mobile teeth or teeth interfering with occlusion may be treated by:
    • Extraction
    • Repositioning and splinting
  • Less traumatized teeth will be monitored.
  • Follow-up monitoring by the dentist will assess return of normal physiologic mobility and monitor tooth vitality.
  • Teeth that become necrotic typically require extraction.

References

International Association of Dental Traumatology. Dental Trauma Guidelines. Revised 2012. Accessed March 15, 2017.

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Guideline on Management of Acute Dental Trauma. Pediatric Dentistry 2009;31(6):187-195.