Late replantation after trauma in a child: A 5-year follow-up case

Abstract

Avulsion accounts for 8.5% of dental traumas, causing severe damage to teeth and supporting tissues. Delayed reimplantation is an option in cases where, due to lack of information or other factors, immediate reimplantation is not feasible. This study reports the clinical case of a 10-year-old boy who had his right maxillary central incisor avulsed due to trauma during a sports activity. After 72 hours, the patient sought medical attention accompanied by his mother, reporting the absence of the tooth in the socket, pain, and swelling. The chosen treatment was delayed dental reimplantation with stabilization in the socket using passive and flexible splinting. After maintenance, endodontic treatment was performed, with a change of intracanal medication after 15 days, followed by clinical and radiographic follow-up. The treatment performed allowed the tooth to remain in the oral cavity for 60 months without infections, despite the presence of progressive resorption processes. This case report suggests that delayed reimplantation of a permanent incisor after avulsion can be a beneficial treatment option for pediatric patients, due to the preservation of the alveolar bone, maintaining stomatognathic functions and the patient's quality of life until the possibility of definitive rehabilitation. The importance of knowledge about the management of avulsion and the promotion of proper care is highlighted.