Ectopic impaction of mandibular third molars

Abstract

Ectopic impaction of a tooth is a rare occurrence. If occurs with mandibular third molars (M3), it is commonly associated with pathologic lesions. Asymptomatic impactions go undetected. The associated lesions, if any, can grow to a considerable size and cause significant morbidity. Since few numbers of cases detected and reported, the etiology of such impactions remains unclear. Similarly, the unusual anatomy of the mandibular canal (inferior alveolar canal) is extremely rare and probably is because of the jetting effect, immediately following canal constriction due to ectopically placed M3.