WASHINGTON, D.C. - Cleveland Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich has settled his lawsuit against the operators of a House of Representatives cafeteria that sold him a sandwich that caused dental damage when he bit into an olive pit.

Kucinich says details of the settlement are confidential, but the matter was resolved "for an amount all parties believe reflects the actual out-of-pocket expenses related to this incident."

"I feel the defendants have responded fairly and reasonably," Kucinich said in a prepared statement. "I don't want to have to make another dental visit for a very long time and will be making no further comment on this matter."

Kucinich's statement said he wanted to avoid litigation, but went to court because of the "severity, expense and duration of the dental injury" and its complications.

Kucinich opened up about his dental injury after taking flak in public over the $150,000 lawsuit he filed on Jan. 3. The lawsuit described the vegetarian sandwich wrap he bought in April 2008 as "unwholesome and unfit for human consumption in that it was presented to contain pitted olives, yet unknown to plaintiff, contained an unpitted olive."

The injury Kucinich sustained after biting into the olive pit affected his ability to chew food and required "nearly two years, three dental surgeries and a substantial amount of money to rectify," he says, adding that none of his dental expenses were covered by insurance.

Kucinich says his tooth split in half, vertically through the crown and tooth, below the level of the bone. The tooth's internal structure could not be restored. The injured tooth, which anchored his upper bridgework, became infected. Antibiotics Kucinich took for the infection caused an adverse reaction that obstructed his intestines and required "emergency medical intervention," his statement said.

A specialist told Kucinich the damaged tooth had to be removed. Replacing it required two implant procedures. His bridgework had to be completely reconfigured, involving six replacement teeth.

"The clamor for information about this incident requires that I provide at least this much information," Kucinich's statement said. "I would have liked to provide such details sooner but did not want it said that I was trying the case in the media. So that is why I declined any interviews about the matter."

A statement from the company that operates the Longworth House Office Building's cafeteria, Compass Group, confirmed a confidential settlement was reached.

"The parties have exchanged information and, after some investigation and discussion, have resolved the matter," the statement said.