Accidental Infratemporal Displacement of Maxillary Third Molar during Impaction - A Case Report.

RATIONALE: There are very limited literature on successful removal of displaced maxillary third molar (MTM) into the infratemporal fossa (ITF) after a surgical misadventure. A corrective surgery of one such case, including the pre-operative planning, has been presented in this case report.

PATIENT CONCERNS: A 43-year-old male presented with a displaced right MTM following an attempted extraction elsewhere approximately 20 days ago.

DIAGNOSIS: Imaging revealed the tooth in the ITF, behind the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus with the resultant diagnosis of iatrogenic displacement of MTM into the ITF during attempted removal.

TREATMENT: The patient underwent successful removal of the displaced tooth under general anaesthesia after proper planning.

OUTCOMES: Displaced MTM was removed, and healing was uneventful with pain management and antibiotics.

TAKE-AWAY LESSONS: This case highlights the need for careful surgical technique during MTM removal and contributes to the limited literature on managing such complications.