A Forgotten Third Molar in the Infratemporal Fossa for Ten Years: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Accidental displacement of a maxillary third molar into the infratemporal fossa is a rare but clinically significant complication due to its deep location and proximity to vital structures. We report a 35-year-old woman presenting with a 10-year history of pain, trismus, and foul-smelling discharge following a failed extraction. Cone-beam computed tomography identified the displaced tooth within the infratemporal fossa. It was successfully removed via an intraoral lateral window approach under local anesthesia, with reconstruction using a buccal fat pad flap and uneventful healing. Fewer than 50 similar cases are reported in the literature. This case is notable for the prolonged diagnostic delay and repeated misdiagnosis as temporomandibular disorder, underscoring the importance of appropriate imaging and clinical suspicion in persistent post-extraction symptoms.

Keywords

• Third molar displacement
• Infratemporal fossa
• Tooth migration
• Misdiagnosis
• Case report

Supporting Institution

None

Ethical Statement

This case report is exempt from ethics approval. Written, verbal, and photographic informed consent was obtained from the patient.

Thanks

None

İnfratemporal Fossada On Yıl Süreyle Kalan Üçüncü Molar Diş: Olgu Sunumu ve Literatür Derlemesi

Abstract

Maksiller üçüncü moların infratemporal fossaya deplasmanı, derin yerleşimi ve vital yapılarla yakın ilişkisi nedeniyle nadir ancak klinik açıdan önemli bir komplikasyondur. Bu olguda, başarısız bir çekim sonrası 10 yıl boyunca ağrı, trismus ve kötü kokulu akıntı şikayetleri olan 35 yaşındaki kadın hasta sunulmaktadır. Konik ışınlı bilgisayarlı tomografi ile dişin infratemporal fossada yer aldığı saptandı. Diş, lokal anestezi altında intraoral lateral pencere yaklaşımıyla başarıyla çıkarıldı ve defekt bukkal yağ yastığı flebi ile rekonstrükte edildi; iyileşme sorunsuz seyretti. Literatürde 50’den az benzer olgu bildirilmiştir. Bu vaka, uzun tanı gecikmesi ve temporomandibular eklem bozukluğu ile tekrarlayan yanlış tanılar nedeniyle dikkat çekmekte olup, persistan post-ekstraksiyon semptomlarında uygun görüntüleme ve klinik şüphenin önemini vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

• Üçüncü molar komplikasyonu
• İnfratemporal fossa
• Diş migrasyonu
• Yanlış teşhis
• Vaka raporu

Supporting Institution

Mevcut değil

Ethical Statement

Bu vaka raporu etik kurul onayından muaftır. Hastadan yazılı, sözlü ve fotoğraflı bilgilendirilmiş onam alınmıştır.

References

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