Review

Prevention and Management of Sport-Related Orofacial Injuries: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence and Clinical Practice

Volume: 5 Number: 2 August 4, 2026
TR EN

Prevention and Management of Sport-Related Orofacial Injuries: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence and Clinical Practice

Abstract

Sport-related orofacial injuries (SOIs) represent an important concern in dental and sports medicine due to their frequency, functional impact, and potential long-term complications. Despite advances in preventive strategies, knowledge gaps remain among athletes and support staff. This narrative review aims to summarize current evidence regarding the etiology, prevention, and acute management of SOIs, with emphasis on traumatic dental injuries and protective strategies such as mouthguards. This review was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Additional sources were identified through manual searches of reference lists and relevant consensus guidelines from international dental and sports organizations. A total of 40 peer-reviewed articles were included based on relevance to sports-related dental trauma, preventive strategies, and clinical management protocols. SOIs commonly include soft tissue trauma, crown and root fractures, luxation injuries, and avulsion of teeth. Current evidence highlights the importance of immediate on-field management, particularly in cases of tooth avulsion where preservation of periodontal ligament cell viability is critical. Custom-made mouthguards are consistently reported as the most effective protective device for reducing the incidence and severity of dental trauma. However, compliance remains suboptimal across many sports disciplines. Studies also indicate insufficient awareness of emergency dental trauma management among athletes and coaching staff. SOIs remain a preventable cause of dental morbidity. Evidence supports the use of custom-made mouthguards and structured emergency protocols for optimal outcomes. Increasing awareness and integrating dental professionals into sports medicine teams may improve both prevention and acute management of these injuries.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Not applicable. This study is a narrative review of previously published literature and did not involve hu-man participants, animals, or identifiable personal data.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Dentistry (Other)

Journal Section

Review

Publication Date

August 4, 2026

Submission Date

July 7, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 14, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 5 Number: 2

APA
ádámosi, J.-K., Székely, M., & Bardocz-Veres, Z. (2026). Prevention and Management of Sport-Related Orofacial Injuries: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence and Clinical Practice. Akdeniz Diş Hekimliği Dergisi, 5(2), 227-236. https://doi.org/10.62268/add.1988566
AMA
1.ádámosi JK, Székely M, Bardocz-Veres Z. Prevention and Management of Sport-Related Orofacial Injuries: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence and Clinical Practice. Akd Dent J. 2026;5(2):227-236. doi:10.62268/add.1988566
Chicago
ádámosi, Judit-Klaudia, Melinda Székely, and Zsuzsanna Bardocz-Veres. 2026. “Prevention and Management of Sport-Related Orofacial Injuries: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence and Clinical Practice”. Akdeniz Diş Hekimliği Dergisi 5 (2): 227-36. https://doi.org/10.62268/add.1988566.
EndNote
ádámosi J-K, Székely M, Bardocz-Veres Z (August 1, 2026) Prevention and Management of Sport-Related Orofacial Injuries: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence and Clinical Practice. Akdeniz Diş Hekimliği Dergisi 5 2 227–236.
IEEE
[1]J.-K. ádámosi, M. Székely, and Z. Bardocz-Veres, “Prevention and Management of Sport-Related Orofacial Injuries: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence and Clinical Practice”, Akd Dent J, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 227–236, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.62268/add.1988566.
ISNAD
ádámosi, Judit-Klaudia - Székely, Melinda - Bardocz-Veres, Zsuzsanna. “Prevention and Management of Sport-Related Orofacial Injuries: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence and Clinical Practice”. Akdeniz Diş Hekimliği Dergisi 5/2 (August 1, 2026): 227-236. https://doi.org/10.62268/add.1988566.
JAMA
1.ádámosi J-K, Székely M, Bardocz-Veres Z. Prevention and Management of Sport-Related Orofacial Injuries: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence and Clinical Practice. Akd Dent J. 2026;5:227–236.
MLA
ádámosi, Judit-Klaudia, et al. “Prevention and Management of Sport-Related Orofacial Injuries: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence and Clinical Practice”. Akdeniz Diş Hekimliği Dergisi, vol. 5, no. 2, Aug. 2026, pp. 227-36, doi:10.62268/add.1988566.
Vancouver
1.Judit-Klaudia ádámosi, Melinda Székely, Zsuzsanna Bardocz-Veres. Prevention and Management of Sport-Related Orofacial Injuries: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence and Clinical Practice. Akd Dent J. 2026 Aug. 1;5(2):227-36. doi:10.62268/add.1988566

Founded: 2022

Period: 3 Issues Per Year

Publisher: Akdeniz University