Factors Associated with Complex Treatments for Injured Deciduous Teeth: A Retrospective Study

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the occurrence and factors associated with complex treatments (endodontic treatment or extraction) for injured deciduous teeth. Material and Methods: A retrospective study was carried out with the dental records of 505 children aged one to seven years old with traumatic dental injuries treated at the Clinic for Traumatic Dental Injuries in Primary Dentition at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Sociodemographic characteristics, information about the dental injury, and the types of treatment performed were collected from the patient's records. Descriptive and Poisson regression analyses were performed (p<0.05; 95% CI). Results: Complex treatments were performed in 31.7% of children with traumatic dental injuries to primary teeth. Of these children, 4.8% underwent pulpectomy, and 26.9% underwent extraction. Factors associated with the occurrence of complex treatments were the child's age ≥3 years at the time of the injury (RR=1.61; 95% CI: 1.24-2.09; p=0.001), family income less than twice the minimum monthly salary (RR= 1.29; 95% CI: 1.01-1.66; p= 0.041), coronary fractures with pulp involvement (RR=2.82; 95% CI: 1.98-4.02; p<0.001) and not seeking immediate care (RR= 1.29; 95% CI: 1.01-1.65; p=0.048). Conclusion: The occurrence of complex treatment after traumatic dental injuries in the primary dentition was approximately 30% and was associated with the child's older age, lower family income, type of injury, and failure to seek immediate treatment.