Question

An 18 year old hockey player is hit in the mouth with a puck, fracturing a maxillary canine tooth. He brings the severed piece of tooth with him. On physical exam, the tooth is fractured halfway between the tip and the gumline. The root of the tooth is still firmly intact. The exposed fracture site has a yellowish tinge without blood. Of the following choices, which is the most appropriate management for this patient?

a. Application of calcium hydroxide, placement of aluminum foil, and dental follow-up
b. Placement of tooth fragment in saline gauze, outpatient dental follow-up
c. No specific treatment required
d. Immediate dental consult to avoid abscess formation
e. Replace fractured piece and place acrylic splint

Answer 1

d. Immediate dental consult to avoid abscess formation

Step-by-step explanation:

This problem the hockey player has faced can be considered as Ellis II, which can be seen with a yellowish tinge in the mouth. This fits the hockey player's situation because of this quote, "The exposed fracture site has a yellowish tinge without blood." When this happens, an immediate dental consult should occur to prevent abscess formation.