METHOD: Hospital records of patients aged 0 – 79year of first – time attenders at the UBTH oral diagnosis unit between July – Oct 2003 were extracted for the study The information obtained included biodata, presenting complaints and clinical findings at first visit. Cases with incomplete information were excluded from the study. Trauma to anterior teeth was classified using Ellis classification. Data was collated and analysed.
RESULTS: Of the 1,112 patients 2.8% had trauma to anterior teeth. Males were 83.9% and 16.1% were females. The 20 – 29 year olds had the highest number of patients with trauma. No case of trauma was recorded in the 70 - 79 year patients. Maxillary central incisors were the most commonly affected teeth accounting for 75%, followed by maxillary lateral incisors accounting for 20% and the least was the mandibular canine, 2.5%. Ellis classified V (avulsions) was highest (32.5%) in the total sample out of which 20% occurred in the upper left quadrant. Ellis class 1 accounted for 20%. Road Traffic Accident was the most common aetiological factor, 32.2%, followed by fight 25.8%.
CONCLUSION: The occurrence of trauma to anterior teeth is more prevalence in male between 20-29 year old, probably because of high aggressive tendency. Absence of trauma in the age group 70 – 79 year may be as a result of loss of teeth due to periodontal diseases before presenting at the clinic and general inactivity.