A case of external dental fistula related to a fixed cantilever bridge

Abstract

An external dental fistula is a skin manifestation caused by an underlying dental problem. We report a rare case of external dental fistula associated with a fixed cantilever denture. A 77-year-old Japanese woman presented with an enlarging reddish granulomatous lesion on her right cheek that was diagnosed as an external dental fistula. A fixed cantilever denture had initially been attached to her upper jaw with her seven bona fide teeth. However, six teeth were completely lost and the denture was attached to only one tooth, which showed apical periodontitis. Subsequently, the external dental fistula developed. We should keep in mind that a patient with a fixed cantilever denture can suffer from apical periodontitis and a subsequent external dental fistula due to a failure to maintain appropriate oral hygiene.