Nasal foreign body resembling supernumerary tooth: Incidental finding in dental panoramic radiograph of an intellectual disability patient - A case report

Abstract

Nasal foreign bodies, while relatively uncommon clinical entities, are more frequently encountered in pediatric patients and those with special needs. This case report documents the incidental discovery, diagnostic process, and treatment of a nasal foreign body during a routine dental examination. An 11-year-old male patient presented to the Department of Pediatric Den-tistry to manage dental caries. The patient had a history of mental retardation and cerebral palsy. During the standard oral ex-amination and panoramic radiography, a radiopaque lesion was observed in the apical region of the maxillary anterior teeth, ini-tially suspected to be an impacted supernumerary tooth. Subsequent Cone Beam Computed Tomography imaging revealed a metallic foreign body in the right nasal cavity. Notably, neither the patient nor the guardian was aware of its presence. Through interdisciplinary collaboration with the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, the foreign body was successfully removed under general anesthesia using endoscopic techniques. This case emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach in den-tal practice, the appropriate utilization of imaging modalities for accurate diagnosis, the need for careful consideration of pa-tients with special needs, and the value of interdisciplinary collaboration. Furthermore, it demonstrates how incidental findings in dental radiographs can significantly impact a patient’s overall health. In conclusion, this holistic approach can aid in the early detection and prevention of potentially serious health issues