E-Cigarette Explosions Causing Serious Mouth Injuries

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American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons

May 25, 2016, 02:55 ET

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ROSEMONT, Ill., May 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Oral Trauma and Tooth Avulsion Following Explosion of E-Cigarette," featured in the June issue of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, examines the oral hard and soft tissue injuries resulting from an E-cigarette explosion. The University of Cincinnati study describes in detail the severe oral and abdominal burns, oral lacerations, and lost and fractured teeth sustained when an E-cigarette exploded in an 18 year old's mouth. According to the victim, the explosion occurred the moment he pushed the button that activated the device. This is the first report published in the scientific literature describing this extent of damage and oral injuries resulting from an E-cigarette explosion.

Electronic cigarettes (E-cigarettes) are sold under some 450 brands and come in more than 7,600 flavors. The vaporizing ("vaping") device that delivers nicotine through E-cigarettes includes a heating element and a cartridge that holds the vapor solution, a mixture of nicotine, flavorings and other additives. The device's power source is usually a lithium-ion battery triggered a button.

E-cigarettes are designed to resemble conventional cigarettes, but are touted as a healthier alternative. Most consumers view them as a smoking cessation aid. However, this claim is countered by reports citing other adverse effects linked to some components of E-cigarette vapors. Reports of explosions and fires caused by E-cigarette delivery devices have led the U.S. Fire Administration to evaluate their safety.

The authors emphasize that the damage suffered will require multiple procedures to reconstruct the lost tissue, and to re-establish functional and cosmetically acceptable results. In addition surgeries to repair the damage will involve substantial time and cost expenditures. They stress that the reporting of such injuries in the literature will be beneficial until concrete data from large-scale studies becomes available.

Read the complete study findings at Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 74:1181-1185, 2016 found at www.joms.org DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.joms.2015.12.017

The Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is published monthly by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons to present to the dental and medical communities comprehensive coverage of new techniques, important developments, and innovative ideas in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Practice-applicable articles help develop the methods used to handle dentoalveolar surgery, facial injuries and deformities, TMJ disorders, oral cancer, jaw reconstruction, anesthesia, and analgesia. The journal also includes specifics on new instruments and diagnostic equipment as well as modern therapeutic drugs and devices.

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SOURCE American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons