Impression material mass retained in the mucobuccal fold

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Dental Materials Science
• Pathology

Background:

• Foreign bodies and tissue reactions are common in the oral cavity.
• Traumatically introduced dental materials, instruments, or needles are frequently reported.
• Iatrogenic foreign bodies, particularly polymeric impression materials, can present as asymptomatic oral lesions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a case of iatrogenic foreign body encapsulation in the oral mucosa.
• To detail the diagnostic process for identifying an unusual oral lesion.
• To emphasize the importance of comprehensive evaluation for foreign body reactions.

Main Methods:

• Clinical examination of a tumor-like swelling in the oral mucosa.
• Radiographic assessment, including Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT).
• Spectrometric analysis of the retrieved foreign material.

Main Results:

• A 5 × 10 mm tumor-like swelling with intact epithelium was identified.
• The lesion was diagnosed as an encapsulated polymeric impression material.
• The foreign body was traced to an impression made two years prior.

Conclusions:

• Iatrogenic foreign bodies, such as impression materials, can become encapsulated in oral mucosa.
• Accurate diagnosis requires detailed case history, clinical, radiographic (CBCT), and spectrometric analysis.
• This case underscores the potential for delayed tissue reactions to dental materials.