The unerupted maxillary second molar, due to an overlying and malformed upper third molar: treatment and follow-up

This retrospective study presents the treatment and follow-up of 20 young patients with 23 impacted upper second molars, due to overlying, impacted upper third molars. The third molars were removed surgically under local anaesthesia. After removal of these palatally obstructing teeth, radiographic and clinical follow-up was performed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the eruption progress of the upper second molars after surgery. Radiological and/or clinical follow-up showed complete eruption of 19 (83%) of the upper second molars. For those cases treated before the age of 12 years and 4 months (the mean eruption age), all the upper second molars erupted completely. For those cases where surgical removal was undertaken after the mean eruption age, four (17%) of the upper second molars did not completely erupt. It was concluded that early treatment of impacted upper second molars, due to overlying third molars, may lead to more rapid eruption. Further prospective research is necessary to develop guidelines for the removal of palatally obstructing third molars to avoid eruption problems.