Idiopathic osteosclerosis in the mandible associated with abnormal tooth root formation

Abstract

Idiopathic osteosclerosis (IO) is a localized, well-defined, intrabony radiopaque lesion within cancellous bone. The causes of IO are still unknown and most lesions are nonexpansile and asymptomatic, so they are often detected incidentally on radiographic examination for other purposes. In the case of jaw lesions, IO is considered to be of no clinical significance and usually requires no treatment. This paper describes two clinical cases about the long-term treatments and observations of mandibular IO in adolescents. The lesions were associated with abnormal tooth root formation and tooth malposition. In these cases, the orthodontic treatments finished successfully without any complication despite the lesions. IO in the jaw needs regular follow-up to ensure normal orofacial development during adolescence.