Oral surgery II: Part 1. Acute management of dentoalveolar trauma

The aesthetics of the mouth are important in determining overall facial attractiveness. People with a relatively normal dental appearance are perceived as more attractive, more intelligent and more desirable as friends.(1) Although the oral region comprises only 1% of the body area it accounts for 5% of all bodily injuries, and of facial injuries, dental injuries are the most common.(2) A US survey among people aged 6-50 years showed that 1 in 4 had evidence of dental trauma.(3)