Preventive strategies for traumatic dental injuries.

Traumatic dental and maxillofacial injuries are common occurrences, and affect worldwide approximately 20% to 30% of permanent dentition, often with serious aesthetic, functional, psychological, and economic consequences. With such a high frequency of injuries, prevention becomes a primary goal. A prevention approach relies on the identification of etiologic factors, and on giving rise to measures aimed at avoiding those factors or at reducing their impact. This article reviews the etiology and preventive strategy regarding dental injuries, and examines the role and manufacture of appliances, especially mouthguards, in preventive dentistry.