Vertical direction impaction of kissing molars: A case report

doi:10.12998/wjcc.v10.i12.3959

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World Journal of Clinical Cases

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Case Report

World J Clin Cases. Apr 26, 2022; 10(12): 3959-3965
Published online Apr 26, 2022. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i12.3959

Vertical direction impaction of kissing molars: A case report

Cai Wen, Rong Jiang, Zhi-Qiang Zhang, Bo Lei, Yuan-Zheng Yan, Ying-Quan Zhong, Long Tang

Cai Wen, Department of Oral Implantology, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China

Cai Wen, Department of VIP Dental Service, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China

Cai Wen, Yuan-Zheng Yan, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China

Rong Jiang, Zhi-Qiang Zhang, Bo Lei, Ying-Quan Zhong, Department of Dentistry, People's Hospital of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Ma'erkang 624000, Sichuan Province, China

Long Tang, Department of Radiology, People's Hospital of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Ma'erkang 624000, Sichuan Province, China

Author contributions: Wen C proposed the study, conducted literature review and wrote the manuscript; Wen C and Jiang R applied support; Zhang ZQ, Lei B, Yan YZ and Zhong YQ conducted the data collection; Tang L analyzed the imaging result; All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Supported by Strategic Cooperation Project between Sichuan University and Luzhou Municipal Government, No. 2018CDLZ-14; and Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture Science and Technology Bureau, No. 21YYJSYJ0052.

Informed consent statement: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this report and any accompanying images.

Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

CARE Checklist (2016) statement: The authors have read the CARE Checklist (2016), and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CARE Checklist (2016).

Corresponding author: Cai Wen, MD, PhD, Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Implantology, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 2 South Jiangyang Road, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China. wencai@swmu.edu.cn

Received: December 7, 2021
Peer-review started: December 7, 2021
First decision: January 25, 2022
Revised: January 29, 2022
Accepted: March 6, 2022
Article in press: March 6, 2022
Published online: April 26, 2022
Processing time: 135 Days and 7.3 Hours

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Kissing molars (KMs) are a scarcely reported form of molar impaction in which the occlusal surfaces contact each other within a single dental follicle and the roots point in opposite directions. The direction of KMs impaction is generally tilted. KMs with vertical direction impaction have not been reported in the literature.

CASE SUMMARY

A 25-year-old female visited a dentist for right maxillary wisdom teeth extraction and was diagnosed with two vertically impacted KMs in the left mandible on panoramic radiography. After cone-beam computed tomography examination confirmed no secondary complication, the patient chose to undergo observation and regular follow-up. A literature review of KMs revealed that vertical impacted KMs are rare; high-quality evidence regarding their prevalence is still lacking. At present, the causality of KMs is controversial. In this study, we have tried to provide a detailed definition of KMs to allow an accurate evaluation of their prevalence and classification based on their impaction direction which may be related to their pathogenesis. The treatment plan of KMs depends on the condition and location of the affected teeth and associated complications; they may be either directly extracted or treated using a multidisciplinary approach including maxillofacial surgeons and orthodontists.

CONCLUSION

KMs are a rare clinical condition of impacted teeth with unclear pathogenesis. Vertically impacted KMs were seldom reported. Reasonable definition and classification of KMs can help in the understanding of their causes and prevalence.

Keywords: Kissing molars; Impacted tooth; Pathogenesis; Prevalence; Classification; Case report

Core Tip: Kissing molars (KMs) are a rare type of impacted teeth. This study reported a case of KMs with a vertical impaction direction which was different from those of previous cases. Despite the unclear pathogenic mechanism, they cause secondary complications such as cysts and other odontogenic tumors; hence, they should be actively treated by a multi-disciplinary team. Reasonable definition and classification of KMs can help us to better understand their causes and prevalence.