Displacement of a maxillary third molar into the infratemporal fossa: case report

The case of a maxillary third molar displaced into the infratemporal fossa, with difficulty in localization due to the synchronous creation of oroantral communication, is described in this article. The patient was referred to the oral and maxillofacial department and underwent successful surgical treatment through an intraoral access. The causes of tooth displacement into the infratemporal fossa, the aid of a computerized tomography (CT) scan in tooth localization, and the difficulty in treating this complication, particularly when the tooth migrates toward the base of the skull, are emphasized. Prevention of maxillary third molar displacement into the infratemporal fossa predominates over removal and is achieved by adequate flap design, correct extraction technique, and a distal retractor during surgical extraction. In the case of displacement, no effort to retrieve the tooth is recommended because of the risk of hemorrhage, neurologic injury, and further displacement of the tooth. The patient should be treated with antibiotics and referred to an oral and maxillofacial department.