Bone Preservation Strategies Following Severe Traumatic Dental Injuries in Children

Severe traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) in young patients can result in unrestorable teeth or replacement resorption and ankylosis with the potential for infra-occlusion in growing children. Extraction is often the treatment rendered in these cases. When permanent teeth are subsequently extracted, long-term complications are likely. The supporting bone will be lost, creating the need for additional interventions later in life when the patient is ready for a more permanent option to rehabilitate the area. In the meantime, young, growing patients have limited prosthetic options if a tooth is lost. Bone preservation in young patients is of paramount importance.  When patients are ready for definitive tooth replacement (eg. implant), previous bone preservation can make the process simpler and less costly as the need for bone and soft tissue augmentation may be minimal or unnecessary. This presentation will cover a series of clinical cases where bone preservation strategies were employed when treating young patients following severe TDIs. This presentation will emphasize how multidisciplinary approach is paramount  to achieve optimal results, where the endodontist needs to collaborate with periodontists, oral surgeons, orthodontists and general dentists.

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

• Review types of trauma that can aid the need for bone preservation.
• Understand the importance of bone preservation in the young, growing patient.
• Articulate options for bone preservation in young patients.
• Highlight the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration.

 Dr. Isabella Mello received her DDS degree from the Federal University of Alfenas, Brazil. She completed her residency and Master of Sciences in Endodontics at the University of Sao Paulo. She later defended her PhD in Dental Sciences on a joint program between the University of Sao Paulo and the University of British Columbia. Dr. Mello is the Division Head of Endodontics at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada, and has received several teaching awards throughout her academic career. She has lectured nationally and internationally, is an active researcher, and has published several papers in peer-reviewed journals. She is a board-certified Endodontist and a fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada. She is also a reviewer for the Journal of Endodontics and other journals. Dr. Mello serves as consulting staff in the Dentistry Department at the IWK Children’s Hospital in Nova Scotia and maintains a part-time practice in the region.