Surgical removal of a third molar at risk for mandibular pathologic fracture: case report and clinical considerations

Surgical removal of mandibular deeply impacted third molars may be challenging and could be associated with several possible risks. Intra- or postoperative mandibular fracture during or after third molar extraction is a major though rare complication. Before starting the surgical removal of a mandibular deeply impacted third molar, various predisposing factors of mandibular fracture should be considered and kept in mind: adult age, male sex, deep inclusion, tooth ankylosis, and associated bony pathology. The aim of this article is to report and discuss the surgical management of a mandibular deeply impacted third molar associated with a follicular cyst. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2012;114:e1-e4)