A 50-year-old man with progressive dyspnea.

Area of Science:

• Medical Case Report
• Pulmonology
• Dental Trauma

Background:

• Dental foreign body aspiration is a recognized risk in maxillofacial trauma patients.
• Delayed diagnosis is common, particularly in elderly individuals with radiolucent dental prosthetics.
• Awareness of dental tracheobronchial aspiration is vital for clinicians to mitigate severe outcomes.

Observation:

• A 50-year-old male presented with a three-month history of worsening dyspnea.
• The patient had a history of facial trauma and a fractured denture from a prior car accident.
• Fiberoptic bronchoscopy identified a mass-like lesion obstructing the distal trachea.

Findings:

• The obstructing lesion was confirmed to be a piece of denture with three teeth.
• Rigid bronchoscopy successfully extracted the foreign body.
• The patient's symptoms were attributed to the aspirated dental appliance.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of considering dental foreign body aspiration in patients with maxillofacial trauma, even with delayed presentation.
• Prompt diagnosis and intervention, such as bronchoscopy, are essential for managing airway compromise.
• Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for radiolucent foreign bodies in the airway.