Accidental aspiration of dental crowns and retrieval.

AIM The aim of this article is to create awareness among the dental practitioners regarding the various accidents which can happen during a dental procedure and stress upon the preventive measures that can be taken to reduce the same. BACKGROUND This article presents a case of aspiration of dental crowns by the patient and its retrieval by coughing and preventive measures which can be taken to avoid such circumstances. CASE DESCRIPTION A patient reporting to private dental practice accidentally aspirated the two-unit prosthesis (crowns) in the right lung during cementation. He was immediately taken to the hospital, where chest radiographs and computed tomographic (CT) scan were done in order to locate the actual position of the prosthesis. Bronchoscopy was planned to retrieve the crowns but the patient had a bout of cough and the crowns came out. A chest radiograph was taken to confirm the absence of crowns. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Taking adequate precautions while performing any dental procedure in supine position can decrease the occurrence of such incidents. Rigid bronchoscopy is the advised method of retrieval in case the crowns are not coughed out.