Impaction of third molars and localized cancer of the oral cavity: A simple occasional finding? A retrospective case series and literature review

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this study is to analyze, through a literature review and the description of four clinical cases, whether prolonged tooth impaction may represent a trigger for the onset of oral carcinoma.

Materials e methods

In this report, four cases of patients needing the extraction of third molars in complete mucosal or bone impaction are described, which, due to the presence of an unusual radiographic and/or clinical aspect, were found to represent cases of oral carcinomas on histologic analysis. Patients were then referred to the ENT department for further care. A review of the literature has been performed as well.

Results

Literature analysis revealed the presence of only few case reports on the topic, suggesting therefore a lack of evidence on the correlation between tooth impaction and the onset of oral carcinomas.

Conclusions

Further studies are needed in order to give valid hypotheses. The concept of inflammation, that is at the base of oral carcinogenesis mechanism and tooth-related pathologies, such as pericoronitis, may be a common substrate to link these two phenomena.

Clinical relevance

A thorough analysis of the radiographic and clinical signs is strongly recommended prior and during surgical procedures, such as tooth extraction.