Orthodontic Elastic Separator-Induced Periodontal Abscess: A Case Report

Aim. Orthodontic elastic bands were proposed as being the source of gingival abscesses that can rapidly lead to bone loss and teeth exfoliation. We report an adolescent, otherwise, healthy patient whose periodontal status was sound. Shortly after undergoing preparations for orthodontic treatment con...

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Main Authors: Talia Becker, Alex Neronov
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Dentistry
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/463903
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author Talia Becker
Alex Neronov
author_facet Talia Becker
Alex Neronov
author_sort Talia Becker
collection DOAJ
description Aim. Orthodontic elastic bands were proposed as being the source of gingival abscesses that can rapidly lead to bone loss and teeth exfoliation. We report an adolescent, otherwise, healthy patient whose periodontal status was sound. Shortly after undergoing preparations for orthodontic treatment consisting of orthodontic separators, he presented with a periodontal abscess for which there was no apparent etiology. A non-orthoradial X-ray was inconclusive, but an appropriate one revealed a subgingival orthodontic separator as the cause of the abscess. Removal of the separator and thorough scaling led to complete resolution of the abscess, but there was already residual mild damage to the alveolar bone. Summary. Failure to use appropriate imaging to reveal the cause of gingival abscesses can result in the delay of implementing treatment and halting irreversible alveolar bone loss. An inflammatory process restricted to the gingiva and refractive to conventional therapy should raise the possibility of a foreign body etiology.
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spelling doaj-art-13aae4c21b944a44af14f9e3552fefb52025-08-20T03:55:44ZengWileyCase Reports in Dentistry2090-64472090-64552012-01-01201210.1155/2012/463903463903Orthodontic Elastic Separator-Induced Periodontal Abscess: A Case ReportTalia Becker0Alex Neronov1Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine, The Maurice & Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, IsraelIsrael Defense Forces, Medical Corps, IsraelAim. Orthodontic elastic bands were proposed as being the source of gingival abscesses that can rapidly lead to bone loss and teeth exfoliation. We report an adolescent, otherwise, healthy patient whose periodontal status was sound. Shortly after undergoing preparations for orthodontic treatment consisting of orthodontic separators, he presented with a periodontal abscess for which there was no apparent etiology. A non-orthoradial X-ray was inconclusive, but an appropriate one revealed a subgingival orthodontic separator as the cause of the abscess. Removal of the separator and thorough scaling led to complete resolution of the abscess, but there was already residual mild damage to the alveolar bone. Summary. Failure to use appropriate imaging to reveal the cause of gingival abscesses can result in the delay of implementing treatment and halting irreversible alveolar bone loss. An inflammatory process restricted to the gingiva and refractive to conventional therapy should raise the possibility of a foreign body etiology.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/463903
spellingShingle Talia Becker
Alex Neronov
Orthodontic Elastic Separator-Induced Periodontal Abscess: A Case Report
Case Reports in Dentistry
title Orthodontic Elastic Separator-Induced Periodontal Abscess: A Case Report
title_full Orthodontic Elastic Separator-Induced Periodontal Abscess: A Case Report
title_fullStr Orthodontic Elastic Separator-Induced Periodontal Abscess: A Case Report
title_full_unstemmed Orthodontic Elastic Separator-Induced Periodontal Abscess: A Case Report
title_short Orthodontic Elastic Separator-Induced Periodontal Abscess: A Case Report
title_sort orthodontic elastic separator induced periodontal abscess a case report
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/463903
work_keys_str_mv AT taliabecker orthodonticelasticseparatorinducedperiodontalabscessacasereport
AT alexneronov orthodonticelasticseparatorinducedperiodontalabscessacasereport