Occurrence of subcutaneous emphysema during a caries filling procedure: A case report

Subcutaneous emphysema can occur during dental treatment. In this study, we describe a rare case in which subcutaneous emphysema has developed and extended to the sternum during the filling of a mandibular second molar in a 14-year-old girl. The patient was hospitalized immediately to prevent infection and was discharged 4 days later without infection or other complications. Subcutaneous emphysema extending to the sternum rarely occurs during routine dental procedures such as filling teeth. However, enlargement of subcutaneous emphysema can lead to fatal complications such as pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade, tracheal compression, and mediastinitis. Serious risks are associated with inducing subcutaneous emphysema, and appropriate care is necessary immediately after its onset.