One or more teeth may avulse as a result of orofacial trauma and be aspirated into the lungs. This underlies the need for a careful oral exam in all patients.
An incisor is the most often reported tooth. Other teeth may be dislodged as well as bridges.
A chest X-ray can locate the tooth.
Complications:
(1) chronic cough
(2) dyspnea
(3) atelectasis
(4) pneumonia
The tooth after can be removed during bronchoscopy but sometimes a thoracic surgery is necessary.
Differential diagnosis:
(1) aspiration of anything in the mouth at the time of trauma (gum, candy, etc)
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