Radiology · single question
A patient had tooth #30 extracted. Follow-up panoramic radiograph shows very radiopaque spots where the tooth was. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Foreign body (retained root tip or broken instrument fragment)
- A. Correct. Following tooth extraction, very radiopaque spots in the socket on panoramic radiograph suggest a FOREIGN BODY — most commonly a retained root tip, broken instrument fragment, or piece of metal. This is a clinical emergency requiring retrieval.
- B. Compound odontoma contains small tooth-like structures and would be present before extraction — not appearing post-operatively.
- C. Periapical cemental dysplasia occurs around vital tooth roots — not in a post-extraction site.
- D. Osteoma is a benign bony lesion — possible but less likely immediately after extraction.