Ingestion of orthodontic anchorage screws: an experimental study in dogs.
BACKGROUND
Sharp-edged foreign bodies that are accidentally swallowed can become lodged in the stomach. This animal study was undertaken to determine the outcome of orthodontic anchorage screw ingestion.


METHODS
We evaluated radiographs of 10 mixed-breed dogs that ingested 10 orthodontic anchorage screws and 10 reamers (1 screw and 1 reamer per dog).


RESULTS
All orthodontic anchorage screws and all but 2 reamers were spontaneously passed within 7 days.


CONCLUSIONS
Further investigation is needed to determine whether the results of our animal study agree with clinical findings.
Choi
Byung-Ho
BH
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea. choibh@yonsei.ac.kr
Li
Jingxu
J
Kim
Han-Sung
HS
Ko
Chang-Yong
CY
Jeong
Seung-Mi
SM
Xuan
Feng
F
Lee
Seoung-Ho
SH
D000818:Animals; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000009:adverse effects; D003679:Deglutition; D004285:Dogs; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000209:etiology; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit; D052280:Orthodontic Anchorage Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011859:Radiography; D013270:Stomach / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging