Mandibular Odontogenic Tumors That Caused Delayed Eruption of the First Molar: A Case Report of Two Patients

Delayed eruption of permanent teeth during the replacement period is relatively common in clinical practice; however, impaction of the mandibular first molar is rare. There are various causes of delayed eruption of permanent teeth such as odontogenic cysts and tumors. This article describes the management of two odontogenic tumors that caused the delayed eruption of the mandibular first molar. In Case 1, an eight-year-old boy was diagnosed with an unerupted right mandibular first and second molar that had an odontogenic tumor around them. Radiographic examination revealed well-defined unilocular radiolucency with impacted first and second molars and scattered radiographic opaque images at the right mandibular. The lesion was completely curettaged with extraction of the second molar, and the first molar was fenestrated. Pathological microscopic examination provided the diagnosis as an ameloblastic fibro-odontoma. In Case 2, an 11-year-old boy was diagnosed with an unerupted right mandibular first molar that had an odontogenic tumor around it. Radiographic examination revealed well-defined unilocular radiolucency with an impacted first molar and scattered radiographic opaque images at the right mandibular The lesion was completely curretaged, and the first molar was fenestrated. Pathological microscopic examination provided the diagnosis of odontoma. Among these two cases, the preserved first molar erupted at each regular position. We demonstrated that even if an odontogenic tumor is present along with an impacted molar, removal of the tumor can result in the eruption of the impacted tooth.