Retrieval of a broken needle in the pterygomandibular space.

BACKGROUND: Dental needle breakage can be a devastating experience for both practitioners and patients. The authors describe the surgical management for localizing a broken dental needle in the pterygomandibular space and how to prevent needle breakage. CASE DESCRIPTION: The authors present the case of a 35-year-old man who had a chief complaint of pain and the ability to feel a broken needle during mandibular movements after receiving an inferior alveolar nerve block from his general dentist before dental treatment. Surgical management involved localizing the broken needle using radiographs and removing the broken needle under general anesthesia. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Preventing needle breakage is important, as it can be a traumatic experience for the patient. Practitioners should establish the patient's cooperation by explaining to him or her what to expect before injection. Practitioners also should routinely inspect dental needles before administering injections and minimize the number of repeated injections using the same needle.