Endodontic sequelae associated with repetitive impacts to the dentofacial region during boxing activities

• Published in: International endodontic journal 2024-10, Vol.57 (10), p.1380-1394
• Main Authors: McCarthy, Sally, Gulabivala, Kishor, St. George, Geoffrey, Harvey, Simon, Ng, Yuan‐Ling
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Boxing; Boxing - injuries; Complications; dental trauma; endodontic sequelae; Female; Focus Groups; Humans; Injuries; London - epidemiology; Male; Questionnaires; repetitive impact; Risk Factors; Self Report; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tooth Injuries - etiology; Trauma; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0143-2885; 1365-2591; 1365-2591
• DOI: 10.1111/iej.14111

Aim To explore self‐reported dentofacial trauma and their potential endodontic sequelae in boxers using a questionnaire, followed by clinical and radiographic assessment to (1) compare the nature and number of self‐reported dentofacial injuries with physical evidence of injury sequelae; and (2) investigate potential risk factors influencing dentofacial trauma and their endodontic sequelae. Methodology A focus group validated questionnaire was completed by 176 boxers recruited from 16 London boxing clubs; 61 boxers from this cohort then attended a London dental hospital, for a clinical and radiographic assessment. Data from the questionnaire and clinical assessments were then collated and analysed using Chi‐squared or t‐tests. Results Questionnaire data revealed 87.5% of boxers reported a history of dentofacial trauma during boxing activity. The clinical and radiographic assessment detected evidence of dentofacial trauma in 91.8% of boxers and dental injury or endodontic‐related injury sequelae in 68.9% of boxers. There was a significant association between dentofacial trauma and boxers who did not participate in weekly neck weight sessions (p