Breakage and migration of a high-speed dental hand-piece bur during mandibular third molar extraction: Two case reports

RATIONALE: Tooth extraction is a common dental surgical procedure. There is a possibility that various complications often occur during third molar tooth extractions. PATIENT CONCERNS: The authors report herein 2 cases of migration of a high-speed dental hand-piece bur during mandibular third molar extraction—one case with the iatrogenic foreign body migrating into the mandibular body and another case with the iatrogenic foreign body migrating into the floor of mouth are reported. DIAGNOSIS: The patient was diagnosed with the iatrogenic foreign body associated with mandibular third molar extraction by imaging examinations. INTERVENTIONS: The authors performed elective surgery to remove the foreign body under general anesthesia in Case 1, and performed emergency surgery to remove the foreign body under local anesthesia in Case 2. OUTCOMES: The foreign bodies were removed, and complete removal of the foreign bodies was confirmed by postoperative x-ray examination. The patients’ postoperative courses were uneventful. LESSONS: The selection of adequate surgical procedures and instruments will prevent the occurrence of iatrogenic foreign bodies. If migration accidents occur, their positions should first be confirmed by imaging examinations. Dentists and/or oral surgeons should perform removal operations considering the degree of emergency based on the results of imaging examinations.