Transesophageal echocardiogram causing denture dislodgement with upper airway partial obstruction.

A 30-year-old female was evaluated with transesophageal echocardiography to exclude an atrial septal defect. The patient denied having dentures or partial dentures during her pre-procedure history and immediately prior to the procedure. Following the transesophageal echocardiography it was discovered that the patient had a partial airway obstruction caused by dislodgement of her partial dentures. The case illustrates the importance of not only asking patients if they have dentures, partial dentures, or any dental appliances, but also manually checking and directly looking into patients' mouths prior to transesophageal echocardiography for any dental appliances.