Persistent lingual paresthesia caused by a displaced tooth fragment: a case report and literature review

Accidental displacement of the third molar tooth or its fragment into the anatomical spaces is a rare but potentially serious complication. The most common sites of mandibular third molar displacement are the sublingual, submandibular, and pterygomandibular spaces. Removal of a displaced tooth or its fragments from these spaces may be difficult due to poor access and the vital structures involved in these spaces; therefore, removal may result in permanent damage. This article is intended to provide a concise update of the reported cases of submandibular displacement and to present a case of intraoral management of mandibular third molar root fragments that were displaced into the submandibular space.