Fractured Maxillary Tuberosity

The maxillary tuberosity is the most hind-most (distal) aspect of the upper jaw (maxilla), housing the sockets of the upper wisdom teeth, with its back (posterior) border curving upward and distally.

The upper wisdom tooth lies just in front and within the maxillary tuberosity.

When an upper premolar / bicuspid (rare) or an upper molar (more likely) is extracted, there is a risk that the bony socket comes out with the tooth. This is mainly the roof of the mouth side). This is often accompanied by tearing of the gum (both cheek and roof of the mouth side, but mainly the roof of the mouth side).

The fracture of a large portion of bone in the maxillary tuberosity area is a situation of special concern. The maxillary tuberosity is especially important for the stability / retention of upper dentures and may cause a mouth-sinus comminication (oro-antral communication).

If there is a large maxillary tuberosity fracture, the aim is to salvage the fractured bone in place and to provide the best possible environment for healing.

Routine treatment of the large maxillary tuberosity fractures is to stabilise the mobile part(s) of bone with rigid fixation techniques (i.e. splinting with archbars or immobilisation with a plastic splint) for 4 – 6 weeks.

Following adequate healing, a surgical extraction procedure may be attempted. However, if the tooth is infected / symptomatic at the time of the tuberosity fracture, the extraction should be continued by loosening the cuff of gum and removing as little bone as possible while attempting to avoid separation of the tuberosity from the layer of skin immediately overlying the bone (periosteum).

If the attempt to remove the attached bone is unsuccessful and the infected tooth is delivered with the attached tuberosity, the tissues should be closed with watertight stitches (sutures) as there may not be a clinical oro antral communication.

The Oral Surgeon may elect to graft the area after 4 – 6 weeks of healing and post-operative antibiotic therapy. If the tooth is symptomatic but there is no frank sign of purulence or infection, the Oral Surgeon may elect to attempt to use the attached bone as an autogenous graft.