Two Cases of Impacted Mandibular Second Molars

Abstract

We report two cases of impacted mandibular second molars. Case 1: A 25-year-old woman presented to our hospital upon being referred by her family dental clinic. A panoramic X-ray revealed complete impaction of the bilateral mandibular second molars. As the patient preferred orthodontics, the bilateral mandibular second molars were treated via the open technique and intra-oral elastic traction. Two years after the surgery, the right mandibular second molar was upright, but the left mandibular second molar became unsalvageable and was extracted. The patient continues to use full arch orthodontics. Case 2: A 16-year-old man presented to our hospital with delayed eruption of the left mandibular second molar. A panoramic X-ray revealed horizontal impaction of the left mandibular second molar. The axis of the molar was tilted buccolingually and eruption was difficult. According to the patient’s wishes, the left mandibular second molar was extracted at the referral hospital. There are various treatment plans for treating an impacted tooth, such as tooth extraction, replantation, and making upright. Long-term neglect of an impacted mandibular second molar may cause malocclusion that might be unexpected by the patient. Therefore, it is suggested that early diagnosis and treatment of an impacted mandibular second molar might be necessary.