An unusual foreign body reaction - a case report

This case documents the course and treatment of a severe reaction to an unusual foreign body. A tooth brush bristle was lodged in the lower anterior areas between the cuspid and lateral incisor teeth. Although the patient noted some original discomfort, severe pain and bone destruction did not occur until 6 weeks after the original symptoms began. Treatment involved full thickness flap reflection of the involved area. The histologic examination showed a typical foreign body reaction to the bristle. All teeth remained vital throughout the disease process and healing phase. Healing was uneventful and the lost bone completely regenerated.