Benign osteopetrosis with secondary osteomyelitic changes in the mandible: A report of two rare cases

Abstract

Osteopetrosis is a name given to a group of diseases that affect the growth and remodeling of the bone. It is characterized by overgrowth and sclerosis of bone, with a resultant thickening of bony cortices and narrowing of marrow cavities throughout the skeleton. Osteopetrosis is an uncommon disease of unknown cause, although a failure of bone resorption related to defective osteoclasts is at the root of the problem. Herewith, we present two cases of benign osteopetrosis with secondary osteomyelitic changes in the mandible with description of dental considerations and review of the literature.

Keywords

• Albers-Schonberg disease
• marble bone disease and osteopetrosis