Follow-up study of permanent incisors with enamel fractures as a result of an acute trauma.

The present investigation evaluated the prognosis for vitality after an acute trauma in 2891 permanent incisors with enamel fracture as the only damage, and in 476 incisors with enamel fracture combined with other symptoms on the damaged tooth. Pulpal necrosis developed in 57 teeth (1.7%). Acute treatment in connection with enamel fracture was only performed in half of the cases and had no importance on vitality. The combination of enamel fracture and concussion or mobility resulted in pulpal necrosis in 8.5% of cases, and cases involving both mobility and concussion meant pulpal necrosis in 14% of teeth. The findings clearly illustrated that an enamel fracture is an injury with an extremely favorable prognosis, and that the risk group can be narrowed to cases of combined injuries involving the supportive tissue.