A 5-year-old fell and lost a primary tooth (tooth E) one month ago. She now has a bump that appeared 3 days ago on the adjacent primary tooth (tooth F), which also appears darker than the other teeth. What is the most likely diagnosis for the bump?

A sinus tract (parulis), draining a periapical/periradicular abscess from a necrotic pulp — consistent with the darkened tooth and recent trauma history
An eruption cyst (a bluish, translucent swelling over an erupting permanent tooth, unrelated to trauma or tooth discoloration)
A mucocele
A normal developmental variant requiring no further evaluation

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. A sinus tract (parulis), draining a periapical/periradicular abscess from a necrotic pulp — consistent with the darkened tooth and recent trauma history

The combination of a documented trauma history, tooth discoloration (suggesting pulp necrosis), and a new bump (sinus tract opening, draining a periapical abscess) strongly points to a sinus tract/parulis rather than an eruption cyst, which would present as a bluish, fluid-filled swelling over an ERUPTING tooth, unrelated to a darkened, previously traumatized tooth.

Practice Pediatric Dentistry questions Pediatric Dentistry study notes

A 5-year-old fell and lost a primary tooth (tooth E) one month ago. She now has a bump that appeared 3 days ago on the adjacent primary tooth (tooth F), which also appears darker than the other teeth. What is the most likely diagnosis for the bump?

More Pediatric Dentistry practice questions