Non-endodontic periapical radiopaque jaw lesions: A mini review

Abstract

Endodontic practice may be affected by periapical radiopaque/ hyperdense lesions. Oral medicine specialists and endodontists may have trouble diagnosing and treating radiopaque lesions. Inflammatory, non-inflammatory, neoplastic, dysplastic, metastatic or metabolic bone changes may occur. With the increased use of cone-beam CT, a detailed review of radiopaque lesions may help clinicians differentiate these lesions. Differentiating inflammatory, non-inflammatory and neoplastic disorders simplifies diagnosis and helps choose the best treatment. Aim: The aim of this review was to investigate the periapical radiopaque/hyperdense lesions. An extensive review of the literature was carried through. The literature search was conducted using MEDLINE (National Library of Medicine)-PubMed, Web of Science and Google scholar without restrictions concerning the date of publication. The inclusion criterion was that the article should be written in English, whereas the exclusion criterion was the opposite. This literature review covers radiopaque/hyperdense lesion differential diagnoses, clinical, radiographic, histological, and management issues. The effectiveness of root canal therapy is measured by the absence of pain, the absence or reduction of periapical lesions, and the restoration of tooth function. In endodontic practice, the diagnosis of periapical lesions is difficult because many of these lesions can mimic endodontic lesions, even when derived from different sources. For the diagnosis of periapical lesions in this scenario, a comprehensive clinical examination, in conjunction with clinical and radiographic aspects of the disease, is essential. The oral medicine specialist and endodontist must know how to diagnose radiopaque periapical lesions. Knowing how to differentiate between inflammatory, non-inflammatory, neoplastic and metabolic lesions expedites diagnosis and ensures the selection of the appropriate treatment.

Keywords

• periapical periodontitis
• differential diagnosis
• radiopaque
• non-endodontic