DEFINITION/OVERVIEW

• Luxation of a tooth can be either vertical (i.e., an intrusion or extrusion) or lateral
  
• An intrusion occurs when the tooth is pushed apically into the alveolar bone
  
• An extrusion occurs when the tooth is dislocated vertically partially out of the alveolus
  
• Lateral luxation: the affected tooth is tipped in either a labial or a palatal/lingual direction; can occur when trauma pushes the crown in one direction and the root in the opposite direction; always associated with a fracture of the lingual or labial alveolar bone plate that allows the tooth to luxate rather than fracture
  
• An avulsed tooth has been totally luxated from its alveolus

ETIOLOGY/PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

• Luxation/avulsion: usually results from a traumatic incident (e.g., road traffic accident or dog fight)
  
• The trauma causes injury to the periodontium, thus allowing abnormal tooth mobility and malpositioning
  
• The upper canine tooth is the most commonly luxated/avulsed tooth
  
• Advanced periodontitis will predispose

SIGNALMENT/HISTORY

• In some, a history of facial trauma
  
• Oral discomfort, swelling, reluctance to eat

CLINICAL FEATURES

• Intrusion: tooth appears shorter than normal; no tooth mobility detected
  
• Extrusion: tooth appears longer than normal and is mobile both vertically and horizontally
  
• Lateral luxation: tooth crown is displaced in either a labial or palatal/lingual direction
  
• Avulsion: intact tooth is totally displaced from its alveolus

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

• For luxation: root fracture where the coronal segment is displaced
  
• For avulsion: tooth lost due to severe periodontitis

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