Surgical approach of ectopic maxillary third molar avulsion: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Ectopic maxillary third molars (EMTM) are extracted mainly by the Caldwell-Luc technique but also nasal endoscopy. There is currently no consensus on treatment of this eruption and its management heterogeneous multidisciplinary. Two literature searches were performed with time restrictions via Pubmed. In first, we used keywords “ectopic AND molar” in second “dentigerous cyst ectopic molar”. For both articles, epidemiological, symptomatic, radiological surgical data recorded. Overall, 33 eligible articles identified involving 39 cases EMTM. 79% patients symptomatic. 87% teeth associated a dental cyst. only 13% was location tooth sinus specified three planes space. Surgery 77% technique, endoscopy 10% Le Fort I approach 3%. The indications for avulsion EMTM symptomatic or asymptomatic an intra-sinusal not factor choice used, which depends rather individual skills surgeon. Although trained operator osteotomy easy procedure, interest limited owing to rare potentially severe complications involved.