Related Experiment Videos
Windshield safety glass foreign body masquerading as a root fragment
1Department of Oral Medicine and Oral Surgery, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Dento Maxillo Facial Radiology
|February 1, 1994
Summary
A delayed diagnosis of a glass foreign body in the cheek was made 6 years after a road traffic accident. Surgical removal was successful, and the glass was analyzed.
Area of Science:
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Forensic Dentistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Persistent radiopacity after dental procedures can indicate retained foreign bodies.
- Undetected foreign bodies can lead to chronic inflammation and diagnostic challenges.
Observation:
- A 42-year-old woman presented with a radiopacity mimicking a root fragment post-dental clearance.
- The opacity was traced to a glass foreign body within the buccal soft tissues.
Findings:
- The foreign body was identified as soda-lime-silica glass, likely from a windscreen.
- The glass fragment had remained undetected for 6 years following a road traffic accident.
- Radiographic and chemical analyses were performed on the retrieved glass.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering historical trauma in diagnosing persistent dental/soft tissue anomalies.
- Accurate identification and analysis of foreign bodies are crucial for forensic and clinical purposes.
- Understanding glass properties aids in differentiating between various glass types in medical imaging.