Palatal mucosa necrosis because of accidental sodium hypochlorite injection instead of anaesthetic solution.

AIM

A case is reported in which sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) was inadvertently injected into the palatal mucosa instead of local anaesthetic solution.

SUMMARY

An adult male was referred to the University clinic 15 days after an inadvertent NaOCl injection into the palatal mucosa. Soft tissue necrosis was evident, without obvious bony involvement. Tissues healed without scarring within 30 days. No surgical intervention was required.

KEY LEARNING POINTS

NaOCl is highly irritant when extruded into vital tissues.--Dentists should be careful to avoid the misuse of NaOCl, and should check the nature of any agent before injecting it into patients.--NaOCl should not be dispensed in a way that could allow it to be mistaken for local anaesthetic solutions.--The well-perfused tissues of the oral cavity have considerable healing ability.