Gunepin Mathieu, Zadik Yehuda, Derache Florence, Dychter Leon
Military Medical Center of Draguignan, French Military Health Service, Draguignan Cedex, France.
Aviat Space Environ Med. 2013 Jun;84(6):630-2. doi: 10.3357/asem.3592.2013.
When dental pain or tooth fracture occurs during diving, variations in atmospheric pressure are usually considered as etiology.
We present a case of a military diver referred for dental pain which appeared during diving. Diagnoses suggested by the diving medical specialist were barodontalgia and dental barotrauma. The dental exam, however, highlighted a tooth fracture due to the in-diving use of an inappropriate mouth regulator which yielded excessive occlusal pressure on a tooth with pre-existing extensive dental restoration.
This case highlights the importance of the use of an adapted mouthpiece by divers, and the need for awareness of physicians and dentists who treat divers of the implications of scuba diving on dental and oral medicine.
