Dental prosthesis as an unsuspected foreign body

Ingested or aspirated dental prostheses may cause dysphagia and respiratory obstructions. We present the case of a patient with dementia who had a dental prosthesis lodged in his hypopharynx. This patient had routine radiologic studies and diagnostic scans to rule out primary and metastatic disease, was placed on total parenteral nutrition, and underwent several endoscopies before his dysphagia was related to aspiration of a dental prosthesis. The prosthesis was evident on radiologic examination, but was overlooked by the admitting service in the patient's differential diagnosis. After removal of the appliance, the patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged after a 22-day hospital stay. Early diagnosis and definitive patient treatment depends on prompt recognition. The importance of recognizing the radiographic appearance of a dental prosthesis is emphasized.