J Korean Assoc Maxillofac Plast Reconstr Surg.  2004 Sep;26(5):484-489.

Conservative care for the traumatic injuries of the teeth associated with general anesthesia: report of cases

• Yoo JH
• Kim YH
• Kim JH
• Kim HJ
• Oh MS
• Kim JB
• Nam KY

Abstract

Damage to teeth during general anesthesia are most occurred by intubation when shearing force is exerted by the pressure of the laryngoscope. However, injury to teeth is also possible when the patient bites on the intubation tube in the stage of excitation at the beginning or the end of the anesthesia or because of adequate relaxation. Dental damage in general anestesia mainly involves the upper incisor teeth. The damage to front teeth of the lower jaw mostly reported in forced opening of the mouth with support on teeth damaged by periodontitis. If the dental injuries (subluxation, luxation, fracture etc) have occurred during anesthesia, immediate reduction and fixation is to be aimed for the proper care and prevention of medicolegal problems. The authors reviewed the cases of damaged teeth care during general anesthesia in Wonju Christian Hospital ad Dongsan Medical Center. The all injuried teeth were conserved by the immediate reduction and fixation, primary endodontic drainage (pulp extirpation and canal open drainage), dental restoration with occlusal adjustment and medications(antibiotics and analgesics) without the specific complications (infection, teeth mobility, root resorption etc). The two typical cases were reported.

Keyword

Teeth injury during general anesthesia; Immediate reduction and fixtion; Primary endodontic drainage; Medicolegal problem

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia
Anesthesia, General*
Drainage
Gangwon-do
Humans
Incisor
Intubation
Jaw
Laryngoscopes
Mouth
Occlusal Adjustment
Periodontitis
Relaxation
Root Resorption
Tooth*