Displacement of lower third molar into floor of mouth: a single institutional experience

Purpose
The displacement of the tooth/tooth fragment into the floor of mouth sometimes happens during the lower third molar surgery and the patients are usually referred to oral and maxillofacial surgeons. To date, however, there is no consensus how to manage the displaced tooth due to the lack of available data.
Methods
In this study, we have retrospectively analyzed the management of the displaced lower third molar into the floor of mouth. Our institute experienced seven cases during 2010 to 2020.
Results
Incidence rate of the lingual nerve injury caused by displacement of the lower third molar was 1/7. Six patients out of seven underwent surgical removal of the displaced fragment. The direct approach was used when the fragment was palpable superficially and the fragment was horizontally located away from the lingual plate (2 cases). While, when the fragment was not palpable, or was palpable and adjacent to the lingual plate, the lingual mucoperiosteal flap was selected (4 cases).
Conclusion
We conclude that the palpation and preoperative diagnosis with computed tomographic images are significantly important to decide a better and most effective surgical approach.

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Springer.
This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10006-021-01012-3