Surgical Management of Orofacial Communication Following Tooth Extraction in an Area Affected by Odontoma: A Clinical Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Odontomas are the most frequent benign odontogenic tumors and can lead to local anatomical changes that increase the risk of surgical complications. One such complication, often seen after procedures in the posterior maxillary region, is the development orofacial communication. Case Report: A 62-year-old male patient developed orofacial communication following a tooth extraction in an area previously affected by an odontoma. A computed tomography scan revealed a large lesion and disruption of the floor of the right maxillary sinus. Surgical intervention was performed to close the orofacial communication and excise the lesion, which was histopathologically confirmed as an odontoma. Conclusion: Large odontomas located in regions prone to orofacial communication pose challenges to surgical management. In this case, the chosen surgical approach was effective in both removing the lesion and achieving successful closure of the communication, with stable results observed over a 24-month follow-up period.