Prepare for the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry Oral Boards. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations to ace your exam!

Multiple Choice

For a primary extrusive luxation with less than 3 mm extrusion, what is the recommended management?

When a primary tooth is extruded only slightly, the safest and most effective approach is to restore the tooth to its normal position or allow it to realign on its own. Repositioning with gentle pressure helps reestablish proper occlusion and alignment, while spontaneous realignment can occur within days for minor displacements. This approach minimizes disturbance to the developing permanent tooth germ and avoids unnecessary procedures. Extraction is reserved for more severe displacement or when the tooth is nonviable or poses a risk to the successor. Endodontic therapy is not routinely indicated for a mild extrusive luxation in a primary tooth unless there are signs of pulpal infection or necrosis. Observation without any repositionment would risk malocclusion and occlusal problems, so active management within the mild displacement range is preferred.

When a primary tooth is extruded only slightly, the safest and most effective approach is to restore the tooth to its normal position or allow it to realign on its own. Repositioning with gentle pressure helps reestablish proper occlusion and alignment, while spontaneous realignment can occur within days for minor displacements. This approach minimizes disturbance to the developing permanent tooth germ and avoids unnecessary procedures.

Extraction is reserved for more severe displacement or when the tooth is nonviable or poses a risk to the successor. Endodontic therapy is not routinely indicated for a mild extrusive luxation in a primary tooth unless there are signs of pulpal infection or necrosis. Observation without any repositionment would risk malocclusion and occlusal problems, so active management within the mild displacement range is preferred.