An unusual case of buried broken exodontia instrument in inferior alveolar canal

Abstract

Exodontia is a routine procedure in dental practice. Despite of adequate effort to perform the pro­cedure with proper technique, some mishap may happen when defective or substandard instru­ments are used. This article reports a symptomatic case of lip paresthesia since 1 month who had undergone attempted surgical extraction of third molar in remote dental hospital. On examination there was presence of retained fractured third molar with exodontia instrument tip in inferior alveolar canal and is very uncommon surgical complications and not much reported in literatures. Patient was not aware of the condition till Orthopantomogram (OPG) was done which revealed presence of approximately 1.5 cm instrument tip in inferior alveolar canal. Third molar and in­strument tip were successfully retrieved from canal under local anesthesia. Rarely, instruments breakage may occur during surgical procedures. It is the duty of every operating dental surgeon to check surgical instruments for signs of breakage and be prepared to solve a possible emergency. Retained fragments should be carefully studied prior to attempt of removal.

Cuerpo extraño en región de tercer molar inferior: reporte de caso

“…Mishra et al (2019) 12 , mencionan que la ruptura de un instrumento durante la extracción es el resultado de fuerza excesiva y el uso inadecuado de los instrumentos. El cuerpo extraño extraído fue una fresa de instrumental rotatorio de alta velocidad, instrumental que no debe ser utilizado en la extracción de terceros molares.…”

“…The diagnosis of foreign bodies inside the tissues is often radiographic findings, on occasions they are associated with mild pain, edema, paresthesias or the presence of purulent discharge 7 . If retention of a broken instrument is suspected, a three-dimensional image will indicate the actual position and will help to avoid possible surgical complications 12 .…”

“…Mishra et al (2019) 12 , mention that the rupture of an instrument during extraction is the result of excessive force and the improper use of the instruments. The foreign body removed was a high-speed hand piece bur, an instrument that should not be used in the extraction of third molars.…”