A study of impacted love: kissing molars

"Kissing" or "rosetting" of molars refers to contacting occlusal surfaces of impacted permanent mandibular second, third, and, very rarely, fourth molars. It is a rare phenomenon.

The aim of this study was to assess the incidence, dental involvement type, associated pathologies and treatment outcomes of kissing molars in all patients who underwent lower third molar surgery between March 2008 and October 2011, at a military hospital in Turkey.

The panoramic radiographs of the patients who underwent extraction of lower third molars at Marmara University Faculty of Dentistry, Gulhane Military Medical Academy and Surgical Infirmary at Commando Troop No. 5 Gokceada between March 2008 and October 2011 were analysed retrospectively. The patients found to have kissing molars (KM), were classified according to the teeth involved and associated pathologies were evaluated.

Among nine patients (five female, four male) with a mean age of 27.4 years who were found to have KM, one presented with rosetting of first and second lower molars (Class I), six with rosetting of second and third lower molars (Class II), and two with rosetting of lower third and fourth molars (Class III). Three of the KM presented with dentigerous cyst formation and two with granulamatous changes of the adjacent dental follicle. Following surgical removal, three patients presented with mild paraesthesia of the lower lip, which resolved 3 to 6 months after the operation.

KM is a rare phenomenon. Early surgical therapy is essential as this condition can cause serious complications, including formation of pathologies such as dentigerous cyst or destruction of the adjacent bone.