438 Roentgeno-oddities

TRAUMATIC IMPLANTATION OF A MAXILLARY INCISOR IN THE FOREARM

Oral Sury. April, I982

A 26-year-old black man with multiple injuries resulting from a motor vehicle accident was admitted to Louisiana State University Hospital in Shreve- port. The Oral Surgery Service was consulted to evaluate and repair the oral-facial injuries. The patient was taken to the operating room where he was treated by the Oral Surgery Service and the Orthopedic Service simultaneously.

Oral-facial injuries included avulsion and fracture of maxillary and mandibular central and lateral incisors, alveolar bone, and laceration of the mucosa and vermilion borders of the lips. All the missing teeth could not be accounted for. However, on viewing the radiograph of the fractured left forearm, the location of a maxillary incisor was evident. With

dtbridement and irrigation of the compound fracture of the left forearm, the tooth was found embedded in the soft tissue and was easily removed. The patient had evidently struck himself in the mouth with his left forearm, sustaining injuries to both.

This case demonstrates the importance of check- ing radiographs other than facial views when one is trying to locate missing teeth.

Carter Blevins, D. M. D. Bob D. Gross, D. D. S., M. S.

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Louisiana State University Medical Center

P. 0. Box 33932 Shreveport, Louisiana 7 1130