Ingested foreign bodies associated with orthodontic treatment: report of three cases and review of ingestion/aspiration incident management

Foreign body ingestion/aspiration episodes are potential complications in a ll branches of dentistry. The handling of small orthodontic components requ ires particular care, especially where the patient is supine or semi-recumb ent. Three cases of foreign body ingestion are presented, involving patient s undergoing orthodontic treatment. Once the foreign bodies had been locate d, all instances were treated using a combination of serial radiography and 'watchful waiting'. All patients remained asymptomatic during this period, although none of the foreign bodies were retrieved. No active intervention was deemed necessary, and the patients were able to resume their orthodont ic treatment. The potential complications of ingestion/aspiration episodes are discussed and a management regime suggested.