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Case Reports
. 2025 Aug 7;19(1):396.
doi: 10.1186/s13256-025-05468-9.

Clinical management and retrieval of foreign body inclusion in a primary tooth: a case report

Aakriti Chandra  1 , Nilima Thosar  2 , Ramakrishna Yeluri  2 , Ishani Rahate  2 , Mrunali Deshkar  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Clinical management and retrieval of foreign body inclusion in a primary tooth: a case report

Aakriti Chandra et al. J Med Case Rep. .

Abstract

Background: While foreign body ingestion is a frequent pediatric emergency, instances of foreign objects becoming lodged in teeth are uncommon. These can lead to infections, pain, and abscesses if left untreated. Imaging techniques such as radiovisiography and cone beam computed tomography help in detection and diagnosis.

Case presentation: A 6-year-old Indian girl was brought in with black discoloration in her upper front tooth (61) for 6 months. The initial history of biting a stone was inconsistent with radiographic findings. Radiovisiography showed a radiopaque object, and cone beam computed tomography confirmed a metallic foreign body-later identified as a stapler pin-embedded in the root canal. Upon further questioning, the child disclosed self-insertion of the pin. The object was retrieved, and the tooth was successfully treated with pulpectomy and strip crown cementation.

Conclusion: Timely diagnosis and intervention are crucial in managing foreign body inclusions in teeth. Parents should be advised about the risks of children placing small objects in their mouths, and early treatment of carious lesions is essential.

Keywords: Foreign object; Pediatric patient; Traumatic injury.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Ethical approval was not required as per our institution’s guidelines, but informed written consent was obtained from the patient’s legal guardian for publication of his case along with radiographic images. Consent for publication: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient’s legal guardian for publication of this case report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal. Competing interests: There were no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Nonvital primary tooth (61) after trauma with an open pulp chamber; A labial view; B occlusal view
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Radiovisiography of primary tooth (61)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Cone beam computed tomography of tooth 61 with red arrow confirming the location of foreign object in the primary tooth
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Removal of foreign object from the pulp canal; A foreign object inside a canal; B retrieval of foreign object
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Postoperative radiograph of tooth 61
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Postoperative clinical image of the case after strip crown cementation
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
The stapler pin, out of the canal, measures about 4.6 mm
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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