Ectopic mandibular third molar in subcondylar region: report of a rare case.

BACKGROUND: A tooth is ectopic if it is malpositioned due to congenital factors or displaced by the presence of pathology. Recent literature review suggests only 14 cases of ectopic mandibular third molar in the condylar region. Most have been treated using an extra-oral or endoscopic approach. Patients with an ectopic tooth impaction can remain asymptomatic over the course of their lifetime. But when such a tooth is accompanied by a cyst, patients can experience significant morbidity and require intervention. CASE REPORT: This report presents a case of ectopic mandibular third molar in the left subcondylar region associated with pain and trismus. DISCUSSION: Ectopic eruption of teeth is rare and reported in the mandibular condyle, coronoid process, orbit, palate, nasal cavity, nasal septum, chin and the maxillary antrum. Management of such cases should be meticulously planned on the basis of the position and type of the ectopic tooth and related potential trauma which could be caused by surgical intervention.