Removal of a Maxillary Third Molar Accidentally Displaced Into the Infratemporal Fossa via Intraoral Approach Under Local Anesthesia: Report of a Case

Abstract

The surgical removal of impacted maxillary third molars is a procedure routinely carried out by dentists and oral surgeons, and it is usually associated with low rates of complications and morbidity. 1 Gulbrandsen S.R. Jackson I.T. Turlington E.G. Recovery of a maxillary third molar from the infratemporal space via a hemicoronal approach. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1987; 45: 279 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (37) Google Scholar , 2 Dawson K. MacMillan A. Wiesenfeld D. Removal of a maxillary third molar from the infratemporal fossa by a temporal approach and the aid of image-intensifying cineradiography. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1993; 51: 1395 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (22) Google Scholar These complications frequently include fracture of the tuberosity, tooth root fracture, perforation of the maxillary sinus, prolapse of the buccal fat pad, and displacement of the roots or tooth into the maxillary sinus, all of which may be easily managed. 2 Dawson K. MacMillan A. Wiesenfeld D. Removal of a maxillary third molar from the infratemporal fossa by a temporal approach and the aid of image-intensifying cineradiography. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1993; 51: 1395 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (22) Google Scholar , 3 Sverzut C.E. Trivellato A.E. Lopes L.M. et al. Accidental displacement of impacted maxillary third molar: A case report. Braz Dent J. 2005; 16: 167 Crossref PubMed Scopus (23) Google Scholar Although the displacement of an entire tooth into the infratemporal fossa was once considered a rare complication, 3 Sverzut C.E. Trivellato A.E. Lopes L.M. et al. Accidental displacement of impacted maxillary third molar: A case report. Braz Dent J. 2005; 16: 167 Crossref PubMed Scopus (23) Google Scholar it has been reported more frequently in the literature in the last 4 decades. 1 Gulbrandsen S.R. Jackson I.T. Turlington E.G. Recovery of a maxillary third molar from the infratemporal space via a hemicoronal approach. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1987; 45: 279 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (37) Google Scholar , 2 Dawson K. MacMillan A. Wiesenfeld D. Removal of a maxillary third molar from the infratemporal fossa by a temporal approach and the aid of image-intensifying cineradiography. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1993; 51: 1395 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (22) Google Scholar , 4 Dimitrakopoulos I. Papadaki M. Displacement of a maxillary third molar into the infratemporal fossa: Case report. Quintessence Int. 2007; 38: 607 PubMed Google Scholar , 5 Winkler T. von Wowern N. Odont L. et al. Retrieval of an upper third molar from the infratemporal space. J Oral Surg. 1977; 35: 130 PubMed Google Scholar , 6 Oberman M. Horowitz I. Ramon Y. Accidental displacement of impacted maxillary third molars. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1986; 15: 756 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (44) Google Scholar , 7 Grandini S.A. Barros V.M. Salata L.A. et al. Complications in exodontia—Accidental dislodgment to adjacent anatomical areas. Braz Dent J. 1993; 3: 103 PubMed Google Scholar , 8 Patel M. Down K. Accidental displacement of impacted maxillary third molars. Br Dent J. 1994; 23: 57 Crossref Scopus (44) Google Scholar , 9 Paoli J.R. Gence E. Vives P. et al. Removal through the coronal approach of the upper wisdom teeth Apropos of a case of bilateral migration into the temporal fossa [in French]. Rev Stomatol Chir Maxillofac. 1995; 96: 392 PubMed Google Scholar , 10 Durmus E. Dolanmaz D. Kucukkolbsi H. et al. Accidental displacement of impacted maxillary and mandibular third molars. Quintessence Int. 2004; 35: 375 PubMed Google Scholar , 11 Orr II, D.L. A technique for recovery of a third molar from the infratemporal fossa: Case report. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1999; 57: 1459 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (25) Google Scholar