Radiology · patient case question
The cluster of small tooth-like radiopacities with a thin radiolucent halo between the mandibular premolars represents:
Patient case: Radiopaque Lesions
demo: 22-year-old female
chief: Routine radiographic survey.
history: Non-contributory. Asymptomatic.
meds: None
findings: Finding A: a well-defined radiopacity in the region of the missing #16, also visible on 3D reconstruction. Finding B: a cluster of small tooth-like radiopacities surrounded by a thin radiolucent halo, located between the mandibular premolars, blocking eruption.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Compound odontoma
- A. A cementoblastoma is a radiopaque mass fused to and continuous with a root, with a radiolucent rim.
- B. A complex odontoma is a disorganized amorphous mass of dental tissue with no tooth-like forms, and it favors the posterior mandible.
- C. A single supernumerary would show one discrete tooth with a normal follicle, not a cluster of denticles.
- D. Correct. A compound odontoma is a collection of multiple small, recognizable tooth-like denticles surrounded by a thin radiolucent capsule — most often anterior and a common cause of failed eruption.