Pulp polyp in traumatized primary teeth--a case-control study

Aim: To assess clinical characteristics and other factors associated with the occurrence of pulp polyp in traumatized primary teeth as well to evaluate the impact of pulp polyp occurrence on clinical decision-making after traumatic injuries.

Material and methods: This study was divided into three phases. First, occurrence and clinical characteristics of pulp polyp were assessed followed by a descriptive analysis and categorical tests of association. Secondly, a case-control design was used, and the occurrence of pulp polyp was set as the outcome. In third phase, the occurrence of pulp polyp after fracture with pulp exposure was investigated as a variable possibly associated with clinical decision-making (dental extraction/endodontic treatment). Logistic regression analyses were used, and odds ratios and 95% confidence interval (OR; 95% CI) were calculated in second and third phases.

Results: Occurrence of pulp polyp in traumatized primary teeth was of 2.3%. Hyperplastic tissue color and proliferation size were not associated with the time to seek treatment after injury (P > 0.05). Children up to 2 years of age had more chance of having pulp polyp in comparison with older children (3.15; 1.15-8.64). Teeth with crown-root fracture had more chance of dental extraction in the therapeutic approach than the teeth with only crown fracture (4.36; 1.10-17.32). Presence of pulp polyp was not associated with the treatment carried out.

Conclusions: Occurrence of pulp polyp in traumatized primary teeth is not frequent and is associated with the age when traumatic dental injury occurs but does not interfere directly with the therapeutic approach.