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Updated: May 10, 2026
04:55
Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
Published on: September 11, 2018
A foreign body in disguise.
1Department of Public and Child Dental Health, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin Dental University Hospital, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2, Ireland, rona.leith@dental.tcd.ie.
Summary
A foreign body in a young child mimicked a tooth-like abnormality, leading to misdiagnosis. Early identification of such impacted foreign bodies is crucial to prevent complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Background:
- Young children explore the world by placing objects in their mouths, a normal developmental stage.
- Ingestion and aspiration of foreign objects are common in toddlers, peaking at age three, with potentially severe outcomes.
Observation:
- A 2-year-old boy presented with a tooth-colored mass on a primary incisor, initially suspected to be a dental abnormality.
- The mass was firmly attached to the tooth, extending subgingivally and causing mobility.
Findings:
- Surgical extraction revealed the mass was a foreign body, not a developmental anomaly.
- The foreign body was difficult to remove even under general anesthesia, highlighting diagnostic challenges.
Implications:
- Misdiagnosing impacted foreign bodies in children can lead to delayed treatment and complications.
- This case underscores the importance of considering foreign body ingestion in pediatric dental presentations.
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