Iatrogenic chemical burn on facial skin by 37% phosphoric acid etchant

Article information

Restor Dent Endod. 2009;34(1):38-41

Publication date (electronic) : 2009 January 31

doi : https://doi.org/10.5395/JKACD.2009.34.1.038

Jong-Hyun Park ¹, Hye-Jin Shin ², Se-Hee Park ¹, Jin-Woo Kim ¹, Kyung-Mo Cho ¹

¹Department of Conservative Dentistry, Graduated school, Kangnung National University, Korea.

²Department of Conservative Dentistry, College of Medicine, A-jou University, Korea.

Corresponding Author: Kyung-Mo Cho. Department of Conservative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Kangnung National University, Jibyun-Dong, Kangnung City, Kangwon-Do, Korea, 210-702. Tel: 82-33-640-3155, Fax: 82-33-640-3103, drbozon@kangnung.ac.kr

Received 2008 November 10; Revised 2008 December 03; Accepted 2008 December 29.

Abstract

When we use the total-etch dentin adhesive system for composite resin restorations, gel or liquid acid etchant such as 37% phosphoric acid is commonly used. Thirty seven percentage phosphoric acid is very powerful erosive agent, and can cause severe harmful effects when it contacts with an oral mucosa and facial skin.

This case describes iatrogenic chemical burn on facial skin caused by phosphoric acid which was happened during composite resin restorative procedure.

Chemical burn by acid etchant can be evoked by careless handling of remnant and syringe. In order to prevent these iatrogenic injuries, we should check the complete removal of the etching agent both in intra and extra-oral environments after etching and rinsing procedure and it is necessary to use of the rubber dam or isolation instruments.

If accidental burn were occurred, immediate wash with copious water. And bring the patient to the dermatologist as soon as possible.

Keywords: 37% phosphoric acid; Etchant; Chemical burn; Facial skin

References

1. Gutteridge DL. Iatrogenic oral ulceration following restorative treatment with an acid-etch material. Br Dent J 1984. 156403–404.

2. Lewis GK. Chemical burns. Am J Surg 1959. 98928.

3. Cabnadian Center for Occupational health and safety. Material Safety Data Sheat 1991.

4. Gruber RP, Laub DR, Vistinness LM. The effect of hydrotherapy on the clinical course and pH of experimental cutaneous chemical burns. Plast Reconstr Surg 1975. 55200.

Article information Continued

(open-access) :

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.