Diagnostic Aspects of an Included Third Molar in an 88-Year-Old Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review

Included third molars in elderly patients are quite rare in dental practice, and therefore easily misdiagnosed, because these teeth are usually extracted in youth. Additional challenges to correctly diagnosing such a dental condition, and its associated complications, arise from frequent co-morbidities in elderly patients, and from difficult communication with the patient. We report a case of an 88-year-old female patient, who presented in the dental emergency room complaining of a discomfort caused by the sharp edges of her lower incisors, and requesting their extraction; the final diagnosis, of suppurated pericoronitis at tooth 48, was concluded based on the clinical elements and X-ray examination.

Automated summary

Elderly patients with included third molars are rare in dental practice, making them easily misdiagnosed. The presence of co-morbidities and difficulties in communication add challenges to correctly diagnosing such dental conditions and complications. This case report discusses an 88-year-old female patient who presented with discomfort caused by sharp edges of her lower incisors and requested their extraction. Suppurated pericoronitis at tooth 48 was diagnosed based on clinical examination and X-ray findings.