Subgingival foreign body embedment in a preschool child: management with three and a half years follow-up

This is a case report of diagnosis and management of a foreign body embedded in the gingivae of a preschool child. A 3 year-old girl presented with pain, mobility and intraoral oedema of the upper left primary canine (#63). An angular, diffuse radiolucency on the mesial aspect of the primary canine was observed in the periapical radiograph and within this radiolucency, a linear radiopacity was noted in contact with the mesial surface of the root. A clinical diagnosis of severe localized periodontal involvement due to foreign body embedment was made. It was initially attempted unsuccessfully to remove the foreign body by subgingival root scaling and planning. The area was then surgically exposed. Upon flap elevation, a tubular plastic material similar to those used for the insulation of electric wires was found to encircle tightly the cervical area of the root of the primary canine, which was removed. Three months after the surgery, the gingiva of the affected tooth had attained its normal color but had started to recede for about 1 mm. One year post surgery, the gingival recession had progressed to 3 mm and a carious lesion had already developed at the denuded root surface. Three and a half years post surgery a mild inflammation of the buccal gingivae was apparent, but periodontal healing had occurred.

The dentist must always consider the possibility of a foreign body embedment in the periodontal tissues of children and be familiar to the clinical signs and symptoms as well as the proper treatment procedures.