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

In subluxation, a reasonable splinting approach for patient comfort is:

In subluxation the tooth is loosened but not displaced, so the goal is to stabilize it enough to reduce pain and protect the healing periodontal ligament while still allowing some natural movement. A flexible, nonrigid splint achieves this balance by immobilizing the tooth sufficiently for comfort and healing but not so rigid that it interferes with physiological movement. Keeping such a splint in place for about two weeks supports the acute healing phase and minimizes complications compared with a rigid splint. Extraction isn’t indicated for subluxation, and immediate root canal therapy isn’t needed since the pulp often remains vital; endodontic treatment would be considered only if signs of pulpal necrosis or infection develop later.

In subluxation the tooth is loosened but not displaced, so the goal is to stabilize it enough to reduce pain and protect the healing periodontal ligament while still allowing some natural movement. A flexible, nonrigid splint achieves this balance by immobilizing the tooth sufficiently for comfort and healing but not so rigid that it interferes with physiological movement. Keeping such a splint in place for about two weeks supports the acute healing phase and minimizes complications compared with a rigid splint. Extraction isn’t indicated for subluxation, and immediate root canal therapy isn’t needed since the pulp often remains vital; endodontic treatment would be considered only if signs of pulpal necrosis or infection develop later.