Impacted Mandibular Third Molar Migration in the Presence of Idiopathic Osteosclerosis: A Rare Case Report

TL;DR

A rare case where a bone lesion caused a tooth to move near a nerve, leading to numbness and requiring surgery.

Contribution

Reports a rare case linking idiopathic osteosclerosis with impacted tooth migration and neurosensory symptoms.

Findings

Enlarged idiopathic osteosclerosis caused migration of an impacted mandibular third molar.

Surgical removal resolved paresthesia and confirmed the diagnosis via histopathology.

No neurosensory disturbances were reported post-surgery.

Abstract

Background: Idiopathic osteosclerosis is a non-expansile bone lesion of unknown etiology, mostly detected incidentally on dental radiographs. It is typically asymptomatic and does not require intervention. Methods: This case report presents a rare clinical presentation in a 30-year-old female patient in whom enlargement of idiopathic osteosclerosis was associated with the progressive migration of an impacted mandibular third molar into close proximity with the inferior alveolar canal. Consequently, this caused paresthesia of the lower lip and chin and required surgical intervention. Results: The diagnosis was confirmed through histopathological examination following surgical removal of the tooth and bone biopsy, which verified the presence of idiopathic osteosclerosis and excluded other possible differential diagnoses. Conclusions: The postsurgical period was uneventful, and the patient reported no neurosensory disturbances after surgical treatment.

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