No active treatment
1. Decision/Indication
In cases of concussion, generally no active treatment is indicated. There is a small risk of pulp necrosis, and tooth vitality should be reevaluated in 6 months with pulp testing and apical x-ray.
2. Treatment
Generally no active treatment is needed. There is a small risk of pulp necrosis and the tooth vitality should be reevaluated in 6 months with pulp testing and apical x-ray.
Note: the patient should be put on soft diet for 2 weeks. Exposure to temperature extremes should be avoided.
Note: care has to be taken that there is no occlusal loading to the affected tooth.
This illustration demonstrates electric pulp testing.
3. Aftercare following treatment of concussion
Aftercare is given by the general practitioner and may include endodontic treatment. The decision for endodontic treatment may be taken after 2 months of follow-up if the tooth still does not respond to electrometric or thermal pulp testing.
Diet
Patients are encouraged to restrict themselves to a semi-solid diet and avoid clenching and any other traumatic overload to the traumatized tooth for a period of 1 or 2 weeks posttrauma.
Further treatment
Further dental treatment may be needed as elective procedures, for example management of discoloration, cosmetic correction, porcelain restoration, etc.
