Primary molar shattered by a BB: clinical report.

J. ellet and BB guns usually are not included in gun control laws and too often are marketed as toys. Christoffel et al. reported that nonpowder firearm injuries are almost as prevalent as those from powder firearms, and more than 25% of airgun injuries involve the eyes, face, or other areas of the head and neck. There are many reports in the literature of injuries from air gun-propelled projectiles. Injuries to eyes, vital organs, large blood vessels, and fatal brain trauma have been reported," along with serious medical complications arising from such trauma.' Projectile wounds to teeth and associated structures also have been reported." Severe traumatic fracture of a single posterior tooth is uncommon. Most minor blows to the sides of the face are cushioned by cheek musculature so that an individual molar rarely sustains the complex enamel and dentin fractures often seen in anterior teeth. This report is of a patient who suffered severe fracture of a primary molar by an air gun-propelled projectile resulting in loss of the tooth. Some diagnostic detective work was necessary to determine what had occurred.