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Ingestion of orthodontic anchorage screws: an experimental study in dogs.

Choi BH, Li J, Kim HS, Ko CY, Jeong SM, Xuan F, Lee SH

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea. choibh@yonsei.ac.kr

INTRODUCTION: Sharp-edged foreign bodies that are accidentally swallowed can become lodged in the stomach. This animal study was undertaken to determine the outcome of orthodontic anchorage screw ingestion. METHODS: We evaluated radiographs of 10 mixed-breed dogs that ingested 10 orthodontic anchorage screws and 10 reamers (1 screw and 1 reamer per dog). RESULTS: All orthodontic anchorage screws and all but 2 reamers were spontaneously passed within 7 days. CONCLUSIONS: Further investigation is needed to determine whether the results of our animal study agree with clinical findings.

Published 11 June 2007 in Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop, 131(6): 767-8.
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