Accidental iatrogenic displacement of third molars in peripheral soft tissues is a major intraoperative complication, but is considered rare.

A young women reported discomfort during mandibular lateral movements since she underwent the extraction her impacted third molars under general anesthesia, 2 years before. The clinical examination was not specific except for a laterality limitation of the right mandibular movements. The germ of 28 appeared radiologically encapsulated in the peripheral muscle tissues in the left parapharyngeal space and showed no signs of ankylosis.

After measurement of the benefit-risk balance the surgical extraction of the foreign body has been successfully carried out. After 6 weeks the patient was able to regain bilateral symmetrical mandibular laterality movements. It appeared that tooth 28 was interfering with the movements of the manducatory function, either by obstructing the mandibular path, and/or by irritating the pterygoid muscles or other peripheral tissues .