Alveolar Injuries Alveolar Injury

Alveolar injuries often occur in conjunction with injuries to the teeth. The concussion is a blow to a tooth and the surrounding alveolus and usually requires only pain control and follow-up in a few weeks to check for pulpal death. Intrusions are most often left alone to re-erupt, with an exception being a tooth believed to be against the developing permanent tooth bud.

A dislocated primary tooth, if mobile and accompanied by circumferential bleeding, should be extracted. A slightly mobile dislocated tooth can be observed over time; no immediate treatment is required. Avulsed primary teeth should not be re-implanted. (For more about avulsed teeth, see the “Avulsed Teeth” subsection of this module.) If the child can cooperate, use x-rays to help diagnose the injury.

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