Migration of an Unerupted Second Molar to the Condyle: Report of a Case With Sequential Radiographs

Ectopic eruption of a lower permanent molar from the mediaeval necropolis of Alcáçova do Castelo, Mértola, Portugal

“…As outlined by Marques et al (2013) "better a broader diagnosis than a misdiagnosis". Although its aetiology is not always possible to determine, an ectopic molar eruption may be the consequence of local iatrogenic activity (Silva et al, 2007;Wong et al, 2007;Wang et al,2008;Kayal and Jayachandran, 2011;Iglesias-Martin et al, 2012;Shivashankara et al, 2012) The condition can occur in the mandibular condyle, the coronoid process, orbit, palate, nasal cavity, nasal septum, chin and maxillary sinus (Shivashankara et al, 2012). The main causes mentioned in the clinical literature for the occurrence of ectopic molars are trauma, ectopic formation of tooth germs, cysts and/or osseous or odontogenic tumors (Salmerón et al, 2008;Wang et al, 2008;Pace et al, 2010;Goyal et al, 2012;Iglesias-Martin et al, 2012).…”

“…The location of the ectopic eruption reported in the present work is unique. Cases of teeth erupting at sites different from their normal eruption location are frequently reported in clinical practice (Silva et al, 2007). However, a tooth that moves to such a distant place as the coronoid process is rarely found (Wong et al, 2007).…”

“…However, a tooth that moves to such a distant place as the coronoid process is rarely found (Wong et al, 2007). Reported cases on molar migration are rare, and the most common are ectopic eruption of the upper first molars and lower lateral incisors (Wong et al, 2007) and inverted ectopic third molars located in the condylar or subcondylar region (Silva et al, 2007;Goyal et al, 2012;Iglesias-Martin et al, 2012). In a review of clinical literature on ectopic mandibular third molars, Iglesias-Martin et al(2012) found only 15 cases of ectopic lower third molars located, specifically, in the mandibular condyle.…”

“…By definition tooth eruption is the axial or occlusal tooth movement from its intraosseous location within the jaw until it reaches its functional position in the occlusal plane of the oral cavity (Massler and Schour, 1941;Palma et al, 2003;Yaseen et al, 2011). Occasionally, teeth migrate from the eruption site and are found in distant locations from their normal anatomical position (Silva et al, 2007;Wong et al, 2007;Waldron, 2009). The aetiology of this migration is not fully understood (Wong et al, 2007;Wang et al, 2008) and seems to occur most frequently in the mandible with second premolars, canines, and lateral incisors most commonly affected (Silva et al, 2007).…”

“…Occasionally, teeth migrate from the eruption site and are found in distant locations from their normal anatomical position (Silva et al, 2007;Wong et al, 2007;Waldron, 2009). The aetiology of this migration is not fully understood (Wong et al, 2007;Wang et al, 2008) and seems to occur most frequently in the mandible with second premolars, canines, and lateral incisors most commonly affected (Silva et al, 2007). The clinical literature has many examples of tooth migration and eruption (Tümer et al, 2002;Suarez-Cunqueiro et al, 2003;Wong et al, 2007;Salmerón et al, 2008;Wang et al, 2008;Goyal et al, 2012;Iglesias-Martin et al, 2012;Payne et al, 2012).…”