An Ingested Orthodontic Wire Fragment: A Case Report

Abstract

Accidental ingestion or inhalation of foreign bodies has been widely documented, including incidents which occur whilst undertaking dental treatment. Most ingested objects pass through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) spontaneously, but approximately 10%–20% need to be removed endoscopically and 1% require surgery. This case reports a complication arising from the accidental loss of an archwire fragment during maxillary archwire placement. It describes the immediate and subsequent management, including the use of radiographs to track the passage of the fragment through the gastro-intestinal tract. This case stresses the vigilance that dentists must take to prevent inhalation or ingestion of foreign bodies and the consequences of time-delays when management decisions are needed.

Ingestion of orthodontic appliances

“…[ 14 ] (2014) report that a segment of pendulum appliance was fractured and the patient swallowed it during her breakfast.In Puryer et al's article (2016), the archwire fragment was not retained in the cutting pliers and slipped into the oropharyngeal region. [ 15 ] In Lee's case report and Milton et al’ s second patient, a segment of the wire was swallowed while eating food. [ 16 17 ] A segment of wire was also ingested in Obinata et al .…”

Accidental ingestion of an endodontic file: A case report and literary review

“…Ingestion and aspiration of foreign bodies have been well documented [1] , [2] , [3] . In general, ingestion is more common than aspiration, although occurs more frequently in the pediatric population [1 , 2] .…”

“…Ingestion and aspiration of foreign bodies have been well documented [1] , [2] , [3] . In general, ingestion is more common than aspiration, although occurs more frequently in the pediatric population [1 , 2] . Usually incidents of ingestion or aspiration occur in children younger than 3 years old with a male to female ratio of 1.2:1 [1] .…”

Ingestão acidental de contenção ortodôntica: o que fazer?

“…If the item has sharp edges and/or is in a critical area, it must be removed. However approximately 60% enter the gastrointestinal tract without lodging in the oesophagus (Puryer et al, 2016). Possible complications due to unnoticed foreign body ingestion include damage to the gastric mucosa, intestinal obstruction, perforation with/without subsequent abscess formation which may be retropharyngeal or intra-abdominal.…”

“…Possible complications due to unnoticed foreign body ingestion include damage to the gastric mucosa, intestinal obstruction, perforation with/without subsequent abscess formation which may be retropharyngeal or intra-abdominal. Other more serious consequences are sepsis, peritonitis, impacted and/or esophageal stenosis, ulcerative esophagitis, gastroesophageal, and enterocolic fistula, recurrent pneumonitis, hemorrhage, and failure on the pathway of the object elimination (Parolia et al, 2009;Obinata et al, 2011;Puryer et al, 2016).…”