title: Mandibular third molar displaced in the sublingual space: clinical management and medicolegal considerations.
abstract: This paper describes the management of a failed mandibular third molar extraction, resulting in tooth displacement in the sublingual space, the discussion of the diagnosis, surgery and medico-legal considerations. A 28-year-old male patient underwent an unsuccessful attempt of the 4.8 tooth extraction. The clinician lost visual contact after luxation and the patient was not recalled for post-operative follow-up. After 24 hours, a severe trismus started. Ortopantomography and cone beam computer tomography revealed the displacement in the sublingual space. The tooth was removed under general anaesthesia with intraoral approach. The follow-up was uneventful and the paraesthetic area on the tongue did not enlarge after the retrieval. The displaced mandibular third molar is a rare but potentially serious complication of extraction. This event should be avoided with correct diagnosis and surgical technique. Cone beam computed tomography was useful to determine the three-dimensional position of the displaced tooth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Varvara
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Murmura
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cardelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Angelis
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caputi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sinjari
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piattelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008964:Molar, Third; D009060:Mouth Floor; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*