TITLE:
A Case Report of Kissing Molars Class II
AUTHORS:
Toshiyuki Inou, Keiichi Uchida, Keiko Kaneko, Anna Fuji, Nina Wakimoto, Tatsuo Takaya, Hiroyuki Kitamura, Hiroshi Mori, Yuji Kurihara
KEYWORDS:
Kissing Molars, Mandibular Second Molar, Mandibular Third Molar, Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Stomatology,
Vol.14 No.5,
May
31,
2024
ABSTRACT: Kissing molars (KMs) is a condition of occlusal molar surfaces in a single follicular space with roots extending in opposite directions. Here, we have reported a case of KMs in a 58-year-old woman. The patient complained of pain in the right mandibular molar region and was diagnosed with KMs consisting of the right mandibular second and third molars. Because of the patient’s pain having subsided at the time of the visit and her unwillingness to undergo tooth extraction, the patient was followed up. KMs is classified into three classes (I-III) and is either true-KMs or pseudo-KMs and presents with or without cystic variants of dental follicles. The presents as true-KMs class II without a cystic variant. With reference to the literature and based on our analysis, the mean age of patients affected by this specific case of KMs is 31.7 years and unilateral KMs is relatively more common (85.7%). Histopathological findings of dentigerous cysts are more often indicated (42.9%). The treatment policy for KMs should therefore be based on the classification of KMs. Importantly, the focus should be on preserving the first and second molars as much as possible. The treatment approach, such as the employment of surgical removal or orthodontics, should be determined by considering the associated factors such as the crowns, tissues, and age of the patient.