Ectopic mandibular third molar leading to osteomyelitis of condyle: a case report with literature review.

Background: A tooth is said to be ectopic if it is malpositioned either due to congenital factors or displaced due to pathological lesions. The incidence of osteomyelitis of condyle has a rare occurrence, very few cases have been reported, either their etiology is unknown or is due to hematogenous spread or a tuberculous focus. This particular case may be a rare of its kind, as recent literature did not reveal any case where an ectopic mandibular third molar led to osteomyelitis of the condyle.