Bilateral Kissing Molars

This rare phenomenon refers to contacting occlusal surfaces of impacted permanent mandibular molars with roots pointing in opposite directions. In scientific literature the condition of impaction is called "kissing molars". The most affected ones are the mandibular second and third molars. The aetiology is still unknown. A 58-year-old female with an already opened submucosal abscess in the right lower jaw was referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial Department of the University of Münster. The orthopantomogram revealed bilateral kissing molars between teeth 47/48 and 37/38. Additionally, large radiolucent areas surrounding the crowns of the teeth indicated two follicular cysts. The panoramic radiography showed that the teeth were in close vicinity to the mandibular canal. But the digital volume tomography (DVT) revealed no contact of the roots with the canal. The lingual and vestibular cortical of the mandibular showed only punctual destruction. After an abscess incision and drainage, surgical removal was planned. We surgically removed the 4 kissing molars under general anaesthesia. The bone defects were filled with collagen. The histopathologic analysis confirmed the presence of two follicular cysts. The term "kissing molars" refers to impacted mandibular molars with contacting occlusal surfaces. The bilateral occurrence of this phenomenon is extremely rare. Indications for surgery involve a history of recurring infections and pain or cystic lesions associated with dental inclusions. Keywords: dental inclusion, follicular cyst, impacted teeth