Accidentally swallowing a dental prosthetic is a common concern. A “fake tooth” can refer to a small, smooth dental crown, a fixed bridge component, or a larger, more complex partial denture that has become dislodged. Most of these objects are made from materials like porcelain, metal, or acrylic that are not toxic and cannot be broken down by digestive acids. While small, rounded crowns often pass safely through the gastrointestinal tract, the object’s size and shape determine the level of risk, making prompt action necessary.
Immediate Action Following Ingestion
When a dental object is swallowed, the immediate priority is to assess whether it has safely passed the upper airway. If coughing, choking, or difficulty breathing occurred right after the incident, the object may have entered the trachea, which is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate medical intervention. Assuming the object has gone down the esophagus, the next step is to determine its physical characteristics and seek professional evaluation without delay.
The potential for complications depends on the prosthetic’s design, so identify the exact object that was swallowed. A partial denture, for instance, often includes metal clasps, wires, or sharp acrylic edges that pose a higher risk of catching or perforating tissue compared to a small dental crown. Contact a physician or emergency room immediately, even if no symptoms are present, to confirm the object’s location. Medical professionals typically order an X-ray, as many dental prosthetics contain radiopaque materials like metal that allow them to be easily located.
Do not attempt to induce vomiting, as this can cause a sharp or pointed object to become lodged in the esophagus or cause severe damage upon its return passage. While waiting for medical attention, avoid eating or drinking anything that might accelerate the object’s movement or complicate an urgent procedure. If the object is confirmed to be stuck in the esophagus, it is considered a medical emergency and must be removed quickly, often within 24 hours, to prevent ulceration and perforation of the esophageal wall.
The Normal Path Through the Digestive System
Once a dental foreign body passes the esophagus and enters the stomach, the chances of it exiting the body without issue increase. The majority of small, non-sharp ingested objects, including crowns and fixed components, will traverse the entire gastrointestinal tract spontaneously. This movement is facilitated by peristalsis, the involuntary muscle contractions that push waste through the digestive system.
Total transit time can vary widely among individuals, ranging from 24 hours to seven days, though passage within 48 hours is common for smaller items. The stomach’s pylorus and the small intestine’s ileocecal valve are the two narrowest points in the lower digestive tract and represent the most common sites where a foreign body might become temporarily lodged. Objects larger than 2.5 centimeters in diameter or longer than 6 centimeters may struggle to pass the pylorus.
A healthcare provider may recommend dietary modifications to increase bulk and cushioning. Consuming high-fiber foods, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, can help embed the object within the stool mass, reducing the risk of mucosal irritation. Patients are often advised to monitor their stool to confirm the object has been successfully expelled. Serial X-rays may be used to track the object’s progression if it has not appeared within a few days.
Warning Signs and Serious Complications
While most small, smooth dental objects pass safely, certain symptoms indicate a serious complication has developed. The primary risks involve the object becoming lodged, causing an obstruction, or a sharp edge piercing the gastrointestinal tract, leading to perforation. A partial denture with exposed metal clasps or sharp fracture points is particularly prone to causing these severe issues.
Symptoms of intestinal obstruction include severe, cramping abdominal pain, persistent nausea, and vomiting. The inability to pass gas or have a bowel movement, coupled with abdominal distension or bloating, are strong indicators of a blockage. An obstruction can quickly lead to tissue death if the blood supply is compromised and requires urgent procedural or surgical removal.
Signs of perforation include the sudden onset of severe, constant abdominal pain, fever, and rigidity of the abdominal muscles. Blood in the stool, which may appear bright red or dark and tarry, can signal internal bleeding caused by the object eroding into a blood vessel or piercing the intestinal wall. Any of these severe symptoms, combined with a known history of swallowing a dental prosthetic, necessitates an immediate trip to the emergency room for urgent diagnosis and intervention.