Orofacial Injuries Due to Trauma Following Motor Vehicle Collisions: Part 1. Traumatic Dental Injuries

Dental providers must determine the presence of orofacial injury, and diagnose and treat dental and orofacial outcomes of trauma caused by motor vehicle collisions. Determination of causation and relation to the trauma is indicated. Dental trauma includes concussion, subluxation and dislocation of teeth, and fracture of teeth and maxillofacial bone, in addition to soft tissue injury that may cause ecchymosis, hematoma and laceration or abrasion. This article focuses on orofacial injury and dental complaints following motor vehicle collisions, while part 2 focuses on temporomandibular symptoms.