Delayed removal of maxillary third molar displaced into the infratemporal fossa

Abstract

Third molar extraction is a common procedure and it is rarely associated with complications. One complication that may be associated with this procedure is displacement of the tooth into the infratemporal fossa, an anatomical structure that contains the temporalis muscle, medial and lateral pterygoid muscles, the pterygoid plexus, the maxillary artery and its branches, the mandibular nerve and its branches, and the chorda tympani. The present case report illustrates delayed surgical removal of a maxillary third molar that was displaced into the infratemporal fossa, via the intraoral access and under local anesthesia. Despite the rarity of this complication, oral and maxillofacial surgeons should be aware of its management and able to choose the optimal technique, taking into account the patient's signs and symptoms as well as the knowledge and experience of the surgeon.