Ectopic mandibular third molar in the ramus region: report of a case and literature review.
OBJECTIVE
Ectopic mandibular third molar is a rare condition, and information is limited about its causes and characteristics. This article reports a case of ectopic mandibular third molar and reviews the literature on the clinical signs and symptoms and management of this condition.


METHODS
We report a case of an impacted mandibular third molar dislocated high on the right side of the mandibular ramus. Thirteen cases of ectopic mandibular third molars reported in the English-language literature over the past 25 years, identified from Pubmed and Medline databases are also reviewed.


RESULTS
Among the 13 case reports identified, 10 occurred in women. Pain and swelling on the ispilateral side of the mandible or the preauricular region were the most common symptoms. Seven cases involved an ectopic mandibular third molar in the condylar or subcondylar region. Eight of the 11 cases included the description of a radiolucent image around the ectopic molar on the radiograph and described diagnosis of a dentigerous cyst. Seven of the ectopic third molars were extracted through intraoral access, and 3 were extracted through extraoral access.


CONCLUSIONS
The etiology of ectopic mandibular third molars has not yet been completely clarified. Annual follow-up visits with panoramic radiographs are required for patients with symptom-free highly aberrant wisdom teeth. Treatment should be carefully planned according to the position of the ectopic tooth and the potential for trauma caused by the surgery.
Wang
Chun-Cheng
CC
Graduate School of Dentistry, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Kok
Sang-Heng
SH
Hou
Lien-Tuan
LT
Yang
Puo-Jen
PJ
Lee
Jang-Jaer
JJ
Cheng
Shih-Jung
SJ
Kuo
Ru-Cheng
RC
Chang
Hao-Hueng
HH
D000328:Adult; D003803:Dentigerous Cyst / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014079:Tooth Eruption, Ectopic / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000379:methods