Beyond the Screwdriver: Other Foreign Body Risks in Implant Dentistry

Screwdrivers draw the most attention in the case literature, but they are not the only small component at risk of aspiration or ingestion during implant treatment. Burs, abutments, and prosthetic components carry the same fundamental risk: small, loose objects working in close proximity to the airway.

Mulita et al. reported the accidental ingestion of a dental bur in an 84-year-old patient. Worthington documented an ingested foreign body associated with oral implant treatment. Musu et al. described the management of an accidental manual screwdriver ingestion in implant dentistry.

Patient-specific factors can compound the risk. Deliberador et al. reported accidental aspiration in a patient with Parkinson's disease during implant-supported prosthesis construction — a reminder that conditions affecting swallowing reflexes, muscle control, or the ability to remain still may raise the baseline risk during implant procedures.

Key takeaway: The instrument-related risk in implant dentistry isn't confined to any single tool. Burs, abutments, and prosthetic components have all been documented as aspiration or ingestion incidents, and certain patient populations may warrant additional procedural caution.

See the full research library for the prevention strategies clinicians have proposed in response to these cases.