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Chapter 12 — 5
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DENTAL BAROTRAUMA
This uncommon form of barotrauma has on occasions been given sensational publicity, causing
some divers to believe that they carry potential bombs set into their jaws.
Decayed teeth can occasionally contain a small air space which may lead to the tooth crushing
inwards (imploding) during descent or fragmenting painfully (exploding) during ascent. The
latter happens when there is an opening sufficient to allow air to enter during descent, but
insufficient to allow it to escape during a fast ascent. As divers age, they develop small air
spaces around their teeth, resulting in dental pain on descent. Because the air space is constant,
the depth at which the barotrauma occurs also tends to be constant.
The explosive potential of this occurrence during descent or ascent has been overrated.
Diving within several days of a tooth extraction may occasionally allow air to enter the tissues
through the tooth socket from the positive air pressure generated by breathing through a
regulator. This results in air tracking into tissues around the face (
tissue emphysema
). This is
rarely serious and is treated by the diver breathing 100% oxygen for several hours to eliminate
the air.
Diving after any tooth extractions should be avoided until the tooth socket has healed —
usually this takes about a week to ten days.