Case report: atypical eruption of lower third molar in a patient who declined surgery

Approaches to management of third molars in the UK has changed since the introduction of the NICE guidelines in 2000¹ and prophylactic removal of third molars has been mostly discontinued. Where removal is indicated, the risk of morbidity with the procedure, notably ID nerve damage, can be of concern to clinicians and patients alike.²

A 43-year-old female patient attended following a referral from her general dental practitioner for re-assessment of both lower third molars. The patient was previously seen in early 2012 regarding discomfort associated with these teeth which had both developed multiple episodes of pericoronitis. Figure 1 shows the position of LR8 and the high degree of risk of ID nerve damage which could have been present with extraction of this tooth. Coronectomy was proposed for LR8, however, owing to the absence of symptoms, the patient declined treatment.