Unusual Foreign Object in a Tooth: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Foreign body impactions in the tooth are common findings in the oral cavity of children because of their frequent habits of placing various objects in their mouth. The present case describes an 11-year-old boy with a foreign object in the maxillary left first molar tooth of which he was unaware. Foreign objects can not only be a source of infection but also be aspirated or ingested by the child. The discovery of foreign objects in the teeth is usually accidental. A detailed case history, consisting of a history of the ordinary placement of the object and clinical and radiographic examinations is necessary to determine the nature, size, and location of the foreign body, as well as the difficulty involved in its retrieval. The foreign object may sometimes fracture inside the tooth during exploration by the parent or child. Such an object may act as a potential source of infection and lead to complications.