Periapical biopsy report: an analysis of over a 10-year period

Biopsy reports of specimens from the apices of 1659 teeth physically present at the time the biopsy was performed were reviewed. The following information was recorded from each report: (a) source of specimen, (b) sex of patient, (c) age of patient, (d) location of tooth associated with lesion, and (e) diagnoses reported. Data were recorded and analyzed by chi-square analysis to note significant differences. This study found that 52% of the lesions were granulomas, 42% cysts, 2% periapical scars, and 4% other disorders. No differences were found between males and females in regard to age and location of lesions. Overall, the most common location for lesions was the maxillary anterior, followed by maxillary posterior, mandibular posterior, and finally the mandibular anterior jaw. This also was the case for all age ranges except 60 to 69 yr of age where lesions in the maxillary posterior area were most common. More granulomas were detected in all areas except in the mandibular posterior area where cysts were more common.