Pathology · single question

A panoramic radiograph shows multiple enlarged roots with extra cementum deposited around multiple teeth. The MOST likely diagnosis is:

  1. Cementoma (cemento-osseous dysplasia)
  2. Ameloblastoma
  3. Cementoblastoma
  4. Odontogenic myxoma
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Correct answer: A. Cementoma (cemento-osseous dysplasia)

  • A. Correct. When multiple roots across the dentition appear enlarged with excess cementum (hypercementosis), this pattern fits periapical cemento-osseous dysplasia (PCOD) in its mature stage, or florid cemento-osseous dysplasia (FCOD) when affecting multiple quadrants. The term 'cementoma' in older literature referred to these entities.
  • B. Ameloblastoma is a locally aggressive odontogenic tumor presenting as a multilocular or unilocular radiolucency — not radiopaque enlarged roots.
  • C. Cementoblastoma is a radiopaque mass fused to a SINGLE tooth root (most commonly mandibular first molar) with a radiolucent halo — it does not affect multiple teeth with enlarged roots.
  • D. Odontogenic myxoma presents as a multilocular radiolucency with a 'tennis racket' or 'soap bubble' pattern — not enlarged cementum-covered roots.

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