Dental luxation is a common manifestation of dental trauma and may be associated with socket fractures.
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Pathology
Dental luxation is a general term encompassing 1:
- concussion: tender tooth, no loosening/displacement
- subluxation: tender tooth, loosening without displacement
- extrusive luxation: marked loosening, tooth appears longer/displaced
- lateral luxation: displacement without loosening
- intrusive luxation: displacement into alveolar bone
- avulsion: tooth is out of socket
Radiographic features
Plain radiograph / OPG / CT
Widening of the periodontal ligament space (PLS) and displacement of teeth are key to diagnosis 1,2:
- concussion: normal
- subluxation: usually normal
- extrusive luxation: apical PLS widening
- lateral luxation: asymmetric PLS widening with alveolar fracture
- intrusive luxation: reduced/absent PLS with tooth intruding into alveolar bone
- avulsion: empty socket
Differential diagnosis
- orthodontic treatment can mimic extrusive luxation with widening of the apical PLS 1