title: An investigation of accidental ingestion during dental procedures.
abstract: Twenty-three cases of accidental ingestion during dental procedures, which occurred at the Center for Dental Clinics of Hokkaido University Hospital between 2006 and 2010, were analyzed retrospectively. We examined not only the objects ingested, but also details of the circumstances (treated teeth, types of treatment, professional experience of the practitioners). Except for two cases (an unidentified endodontic file and the tip of an ultrasonic scaler, which were recovered by vacuuming), the other 21 accidentally ingested objects were all found in the digestive tract, and none in the respiratory tract, by radiographic examination of the chest and abdomen. The ingested objects were mostly metal restorations (inlays or onlays) or prostheses (crowns or cores). Ingestion occurred more frequently during treatment of lower molars, and when procedures were being conducted by practitioners with less than 5 years of experience. No adverse events related to ingestion were reported. The present study found no cases of aspiration or complications related to the ingested objects. However, considering the risk of life-threatening emergencies related to accidental aspiration and ingestion, dentists must take meticulous precautions and be ready to deal with this kind of emergency during dental procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Radiology, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan. obinata@den.hokudai.ac.jp
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Obinata
authors.forename: Takafumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Satoh
authors.forename: Alam Mohammad
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Towfik
authors.forename: Motoyasu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakamura
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003442:Crowns; D003679:Deglutition; D003729:Dental Care / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003762:Dental Instruments; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007284:Inlays; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D011859:Radiography; D053120:Respiratory Aspiration; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014070:Tooth; D055815:Young Adult