Abstract
Subcutaneous emphysema in the head and neck is a well known clinical condition. It is an uncommon clinical complication of dental treatment caused by forceful injection of air into the loose connective tissue below the dermal layer. The trapped air is often limited by subcutaneous space in the head and neck. This paper presents a clinical case in which subcutaneous emphysema developed immediately during surgical extraction of third molar.
Highlights
Subcutaneous emphysema is a rare occurrence in dental practice
Emphysema occurs when air is injected into the subcutaneous layer of the tissue, this may come from either an air turbine handpiece or air syringe [2]
The first case of subcutaneous emphysema associated with a dental procedure was reported in 1900 [4]
Summary
Subcutaneous emphysema is a rare occurrence in dental practice. It is usually benign and self-limiting [1]; severe consequences can result from surgical treatment. The first case of subcutaneous emphysema associated with a dental procedure was reported in 1900 [4]. Since it has been associated with air-generating dental instruments during restoration [5], surgical extraction [6]-[8], endodontic treatments [9], trauma from biopsy [10] and cheek biting [11]
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