[Subcutaneous Emphysema of the Oral Floor During Cleaning of a Bridge Fixed on an IMZ Implant. Case Report]

A case of subcutaneous emphysema following intraoral elimination of plaque and tooth shading, on a bridge fixed on implants, is presented. An instrument that produces a cleaning spray with a water-air-powder mixture was used. A few minutes after this cleaning procedure there was facial swelling. The patient experienced difficulties in breathing and in swallowing; symptoms of unilateral hearing loss were also noticed. The emphysema lasted for three days. Etiology, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, complications and management are discussed.