Intra-sinusal third molar: case report

Ectopic tooth eruption into an area other than the oral cavity is rare. Nasal septum, mandibular condyle, coronoid process and infratemporal fossa space have been reported as frequent locations for ectopic tooth eruption. Ectopic teeth located within the maxillary sinus may be asymptomatic, found only in routine examinations. Headache, sinusitis and nasal obstruction are some of the associated symptoms. The differential diagnosis includes foreign bodies (rhinolith), infections (syphilis and tuberculosis), benign lesions (hemangioma, osteoma, calcified polyp) and malign lesions (osteosarcoma). Upper third molars located within the maxillary sinus may be associated with the development of mucocele or dentigerous cyst. The aim of this paper was to describe the case of a 24-year old female patient with an ectopic right upper third molar in the maxillary sinus. A hyperdense area was observed with sinus obliteration, consistent with mucous material.