C.E. Credit. Maxillary Third Molar Displacement into the Infratemporal Fossa: The Diagnosis and Management of a Rare Dentoalveolar Complication in Routine Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Abstract

Background The infratemporal fossa is a space located along the lateral skull into which an upper wisdom tooth can be displaced during the extraction of a maxillary third molar. Although this complication is rare, many patients remain at risk even during a routine outpatient visit with an experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon. To retrieve the displaced wisdom tooth localized inferior and medial to the ipsilateral zygomatic arch, surgical exploration of this space can be done using a variety of techniques described in the literature and in this case.Case Description This article presents a case in which a right upper wisdom tooth was apically displaced into the infratemporal fossa. Cone-beam computed tomography aided in verifying the exact position of the third molar and subsequent surgical planning. In this case, an immediate approach was used with minimal intraoral dissection into the posterior maxillary vestibule. In doing so, sufficient access and visibility were established for successful retrieval of the tooth in the same visit by extending the original incision site and without the need for any additional procedures thereafter. This article also offers an overview of potential retrieval options as described by the literature.Continuing Education Credit Available: The practice worksheet is available online in the supplemental material tab for this article. A CDA Continuing Education quiz is online for this article: https://www.cdapresents360.com/learn/catalog/view/20.

Keywords

• Third molar
• displacement
• cone beam
• infratemporal fossa
• dissection
• wisdom tooth