Traumatic dental injuries during emergency endotracheal intubation

Abstract

Objectives. The objectives of the study were to find out the reasons why dental injuries occur during endotracheal intubation as well as to clarify what tooth trauma occurs most often. Result.The most dental injuries occurred in the middle-aged or older patients. The front teeth, especially maxillary incisors have the greatest risk of injury.The main cause of dental injury during endotracheal intubation is ‘difficult airway’. Conclusion. Pre-operative dental examination may help to assess the situation or prevent dental trauma through the evaluation of endotracheal intubation, possibly requiring dental protective devices. The use of excessive force in intubation and front teeth as a support for the instruments leads to an inevitable maxillary incisors injury. The most common injuries are tooth fractures, avulsion, exfoliation, damage to crowns and bridgeworks.