Delayed Diagnosis of an Aspirated Dental Crown Presenting as Chronic Bronchitis and Pneumonia in an Adult Male: A Case Report

Foreign body aspiration is uncommon in adults compared to children. The aspiration of dental materials is a relatively rare event, whether it occurs during, or independently of, dental procedures. Its true incidence remains difficult to assess due to variations across reported studies. Such aspirations can lead to both immediate and delayed complications, including pneumonia, which may result in local or systemic consequences. We report a rare case of an unnoticed aspiration of a dental crown, discovered several months after inhalation. A 44-year-old male with a history of chronic tobacco use presented with chronic cough, recurrent episodes of bronchitis, and general health deterioration. Chest X-ray (frontal and lateral views) and thoracic computed tomography (CT) guided the diagnosis, which was subsequently confirmed via flexible bronchoscopy. Interestingly, the dental crown was spontaneously expectorated by the patient a few hours after the bronchoscopy. Follow-up imaging revealed persistent, irreversible parenchymal destruction, despite clinical improvement and resolution of recurrent bronchitis. From a theoretical standpoint, and according to the literature, rigid bronchoscopy remains the gold standard for the removal of aspirated dental materials. This case underscores the importance of considering foreign body aspiration in the differential diagnosis of recurrent respiratory infections and chronic bronchitis. It also highlights the value of standard chest imaging in the initial assessment, as well as the utility of flexible bronchoscopy outside of the acute setting.