Accidental aspiration of a finishing bur: clinical and legal aspects

Authors

  • Mário Marques Fernandes Brasilian Dental Association - Rio Grande do Sul
  • Antonio Carlos Andresson Westphalen University of California
  • Karen Ordovás University of California
  • Rachel Tinoco Piracicaba Dental School
  • Fernanda Capurucho Bouchardet Piracicaba Dental School
  • Eduardo Daruge Júnior Piracicaba Dental School

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22456/2177-0018.32021

Keywords:

Dental instruments, Complication, Liability, Legal

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to report a clinical case of prosthetic bur aspiration during dental procedure, and to evidence clinical, ethical and legal aspects related to this kind of accident. A male pacient, 58 years-old, during a dental procedure reported a sensation of itching in the throat. The service was discontinued and the patient was taken to hospital care. After imaging exam – radiography and computed tomography – it was diagnosed accidental aspiration of a finishing bur, which was successfully removed by bronchoscopy. The analysis of this case allows concluding that the dentist must know and apply the due means to prevent aspiration of foreign bodies during dental treatment, as the use of rubber dam or tying small objects with dental floss, as well as inform the patient about possible complications of this accident. This way the dentist will fulfill all professional responsibilities, and will be guarded from possible ethical issues.

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Author Biographies

Mário Marques Fernandes, Brasilian Dental Association - Rio Grande do Sul

Departamento de Odontologia Legal

Antonio Carlos Andresson Westphalen, University of California

Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging

Karen Ordovás, University of California

Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging

Rachel Tinoco, Piracicaba Dental School

Forensic Odontology Area

Fernanda Capurucho Bouchardet, Piracicaba Dental School

Forensic Odontology Area

Eduardo Daruge Júnior, Piracicaba Dental School

Forensic Odontology Area

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Published

2012-11-19

How to Cite

Fernandes, M. M., Westphalen, A. C. A., Ordovás, K., Tinoco, R., Bouchardet, F. C., & Daruge Júnior, E. (2012). Accidental aspiration of a finishing bur: clinical and legal aspects. Revista Da Faculdade De Odontologia De Porto Alegre, 53(1), 39–41. https://doi.org/10.22456/2177-0018.32021

Issue

Vol. 53 No. 1 (2012)

Section

Case reports

License

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