A piece of orthodontic archwire in the buccal mucosa

Abstract

Introduction: Oral and maxillofacial surgeons often encounter foreign bodies, but they rarely find orthodontic appliances embedded in the soft tissue. Case Report: Herein, a woman in her twenties was lacerated in the right buccal mucosa when the orthodontist cut the distal end of an archwire with end-cutting pliers. Although she was asymptomatic after healing, she reported discomfort where the wound had existed. Computed tomography images showed a high-density area beneath the right buccal mucosa, and she was referred to our department. We diagnosed an archwire fragment embedded in the buccal mucosa and successfully removed it using computed tomography images and without additional use of fluoroscopy or a navigation system. Conclusion: Orthodontists should carefully consider other penetrative risks of orthodontic appliances. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are often required to resolve these accidental events based on an adequate understanding of the clinical situation