Hard Tissue Disease

Introduction – Lesions growing in bone alter the osseous structure. These alterations are typically visible on radiographs. Diseases which destroy bone produce lesions which are radiolucent on x-rays. In the jaws, radiolucent lesions can result from inflammation, cysts, or neoplasms. Diseases which synthesize calcified material produce lesions which are radiopaque on x-rays. In the jaws, the calcified material can be bone, cartilage, cementum, dentin or enamel. Compared to other bones of the skeleton, the diagnosis of lesions involving the maxilla and mandible can be a greater diagnostic challenge. This is because the maxilla and mandible contain teeth, and a wide variety of diseases can be associated with teeth and the tissues that form teeth.

This lecture series is designed to help you identify radiographic features of diseases which appear on routine dental radiographs. It is important to remember that the interpretation of radiographic features is only one component of the diagnostic process. The clinical presentation, and in many cases, the microscopic features of the disease are also important diagnostic considerations.