Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore inflammation of soft tissue around the upper third molar as a prevalent cause of limited mouth opening, identify the clinical and radiographic features, and summarize the therapeutic effectiveness of tooth extraction.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data from 264 patients with limited mouth opening over the last five years was performed.
RESULTS: Among the 264 patients, 24 (9.1%) had inflammation of the soft tissue around the upper third molar, which was the second most common cause of limited mouth opening. Twenty-one of the twenty-four affected patients, with an average mouth opening of 19.1 ± 7.6 mm, underwent upper third molar extraction. Gingival tenderness around the upper third molar or maxillary tuberosity mucosa was a characteristic clinical manifestation (p < 0.05). The characteristic features on maxillofacial CT included soft tissue swelling around the upper third molar and gap narrowing between the maxillary nodules and the mandibular ascending branch. Post extraction, the average mouth opening increased to 31.4 ± 4.9 mm (p < 0.05), and follow-up CT demonstrated regression of the inflammatory soft tissue around the upper third molar.
CONCLUSIONS: Inflammation of soft tissue around the upper third molar is a common cause of limited mouth opening. Symptoms of pain associated with the upper third molar and distinctive findings on enhanced maxillofacial CT scans are crucial for diagnosis. Upper third molar extraction yields favorable therapeutic outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: Inflammation of the soft tissue around the maxillary third molar commonly causes limited mouth opening, but this phenomenon has long been overlooked. Clarifying this etiology can reduce the number of misdiagnosed patients with restricted mouth opening and enable more efficient treatment for patients.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data from 264 patients with limited mouth opening over the last five years was performed.
RESULTS: Among the 264 patients, 24 (9.1%) had inflammation of the soft tissue around the upper third molar, which was the second most common cause of limited mouth opening. Twenty-one of the twenty-four affected patients, with an average mouth opening of 19.1 ± 7.6 mm, underwent upper third molar extraction. Gingival tenderness around the upper third molar or maxillary tuberosity mucosa was a characteristic clinical manifestation (p < 0.05). The characteristic features on maxillofacial CT included soft tissue swelling around the upper third molar and gap narrowing between the maxillary nodules and the mandibular ascending branch. Post extraction, the average mouth opening increased to 31.4 ± 4.9 mm (p < 0.05), and follow-up CT demonstrated regression of the inflammatory soft tissue around the upper third molar.
CONCLUSIONS: Inflammation of soft tissue around the upper third molar is a common cause of limited mouth opening. Symptoms of pain associated with the upper third molar and distinctive findings on enhanced maxillofacial CT scans are crucial for diagnosis. Upper third molar extraction yields favorable therapeutic outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: Inflammation of the soft tissue around the maxillary third molar commonly causes limited mouth opening, but this phenomenon has long been overlooked. Clarifying this etiology can reduce the number of misdiagnosed patients with restricted mouth opening and enable more efficient treatment for patients.
摘要：
目的：本研究的目的是探讨上第三磨牙周围软组织的炎症是张口受限的主要原因，确定临床和影像学特征，总结拔牙的治疗效果。
方法：对过去5年中264例张口受限患者的数据进行回顾性分析。
结果：在264名患者中，24例（9.1％）上第三磨牙周围软组织有炎症，这是张口受限的第二大常见原因。二十四个受影响的病人中有二十一个,平均开口为19.1±7.6毫米，进行上第三磨牙提取。上颌第三磨牙或上颌结节粘膜周围的牙龈压痛是特征性的临床表现（p<0.05）。颌面部CT的特征性特征包括上第三磨牙周围的软组织肿胀和上颌结节与下颌升支之间的间隙变窄。提取后，平均张口增加到31.4±4.9mm（p<0.05），和随访CT显示上第三磨牙周围的炎性软组织消退。
结论：上第三磨牙周围软组织的炎症是张口受限的常见原因。与上第三磨牙相关的疼痛症状和增强颌面CT扫描的独特发现对于诊断至关重要。上第三磨牙拔除产生有利的治疗结果。
结论：上颌第三磨牙周围软组织的炎症通常会导致张口受限，但是这种现象长期以来一直被忽视。明确这种病因可以减少张口受限的误诊患者的数量，并为患者提供更有效的治疗。
方法：对过去5年中264例张口受限患者的数据进行回顾性分析。
结果：在264名患者中，24例（9.1％）上第三磨牙周围软组织有炎症，这是张口受限的第二大常见原因。二十四个受影响的病人中有二十一个,平均开口为19.1±7.6毫米，进行上第三磨牙提取。上颌第三磨牙或上颌结节粘膜周围的牙龈压痛是特征性的临床表现（p<0.05）。颌面部CT的特征性特征包括上第三磨牙周围的软组织肿胀和上颌结节与下颌升支之间的间隙变窄。提取后，平均张口增加到31.4±4.9mm（p<0.05），和随访CT显示上第三磨牙周围的炎性软组织消退。
结论：上第三磨牙周围软组织的炎症是张口受限的常见原因。与上第三磨牙相关的疼痛症状和增强颌面CT扫描的独特发现对于诊断至关重要。上第三磨牙拔除产生有利的治疗结果。
结论：上颌第三磨牙周围软组织的炎症通常会导致张口受限，但是这种现象长期以来一直被忽视。明确这种病因可以减少张口受限的误诊患者的数量，并为患者提供更有效的治疗。
