Foreign body gingival lesions: distribution, morphology, identification by X-ray energy dispersive analysis and possible origin of foreign material.
BACKGROUND
Foreign material may cause and aggravate gingival lesions. This is rarely considered clinically. The lesions are resistant to frequently protracted conventional therapy. The foreign material is often inconspicuous and easily overlooked by the pathologist.


METHODS
85 cases of gingival lesions containing foreign material were investigated by conventional and polarization light microscopy, focusing on the morphology and optical characteristics of the foreign substance. Supplemented with the results of X-ray energy dispersive analysis the foreign material was compared with commonly used dental materials.


RESULTS
The foreign material was most frequently compatible with amalgam. Inconspicuous crystals, often revealed only by polarization microscopy, were most commonly compatible with abrasives, particularly corundum and silicates, and mostly occurred together with amalgam dust.


CONCLUSIONS
Iatrogenic introduction of dental materials during dental procedures explains most foreign body gingival lesions which could be reduced or avoided by prophylactic measures. Pathologists should meticulously scrutinize gingival biopsies routinely applying polarization microscopy.
Koppang
Hanna Strømme
HS
Department of Pathology and Forensic Odontology, Institute of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. hanna@odont.uio.no
Roushan
André
A
Srafilzadeh
Ali
A
Stølen
Steinar Ørbeck
SØ
Koppang
Rolf
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D005881:Gingiva; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization; D008875:Middle Aged
D003764:Dental Materials