The importance of soft tissue examination in post‐traumatic decision‐making: A case report

Abstract

Dental and facial traumas involving teeth and supporting tissues are common sports-related injuries. In this case report treatment of a 23-year-old student who had been elbowed by an opponent player during a basketball game, which caused oblique fractures on both maxillary incisor teeth is presented. The patient presented 17 days following trauma having completed full recovery of soft tissues. A fragment of upper incisor tooth had been embedded in lower lip at the time of trauma, which was covered by healing tissues. At the 1 month control the patient complained of a hard structure in his lower lip. The elusive broken fragment was revealed by a radiograph and then removed surgically. This case report is a good example of the importance of the training of general dentists about sports-related traumatic injuries as well as emphasising the importance of the use of mouthguards during contact sports.

Tooth fragment embedded in the lower lip for 10 months following dentoalveolar trauma: A case report with literature review

“…It has been reported that these injuries occur in association with soft tissue lacerations; as a result, the embedding of the fractured tooth fragment in the surrounding soft tissues is a common sequela. [1–23] An extensive review of PubMed literature revealed reports of tooth fragments embedded in various soft tissues [Table 1]. [1–23] Among these, in most of the reported cases (16 out of 24 case reports), the lower lip was the most common site for the embedded incisor fragment.…”

“…[1–23] An extensive review of PubMed literature revealed reports of tooth fragments embedded in various soft tissues [Table 1]. [1–23] Among these, in most of the reported cases (16 out of 24 case reports), the lower lip was the most common site for the embedded incisor fragment. [1,3,4,9,11–17,19,20,22,23] However, Kalra et al ,[10] Cubukcu et al ,[18] and Agarwal et al [2] reported cases with tooth fragments embedded in the upper lip.…”

“…If laceration and bleeding make clinical examination difficult, simple soft tissue and occlusal radiographs should be taken to help detect tooth fragments entrapped in the oral soft tissues. [2,18,23] Once the embedded tooth is diagnosed on radiographs, complete removal of the fractured tooth fragment is important to prevent infection, disfiguring, scarring and discoloration of the skin.…”

“…[2] Therefore, broken, lost, swallowed, or aspirated teeth can be a hazard in dental and medical practice. One additional hazard is the embedding of fractured tooth fragments in the soft tissues,[1–23] particularly in the lip. It is commonly observed that dental traumas are usually associated with damage to the surrounding soft tissues, varying from bruises to deep lacerations.…”

Tooth fragments embedded in the lower lip following trauma

“…It is important to transfer the fractured fragments in aqueous transport mediums such as normal saline until reattachment occurs. Interestingly, soft tissue of lips may act as a physiologic medium for tooth fragments as reported in late presentations [10,14].…”