Idiopathic osteosclerosis mimicry of a tooth: case report

This report presents two cases of idiopathic osteosclerosis involving the maxilla and mandible which were identified as a buccally impacted canine and a retained root, respectively, on clinical and plain radiographical examinations. Both patients were females who presented with hypodontia. Radiographic evaluation revealed solitary well-defined radiopaque masses with thickened cortical border. Both patients were undergoing orthodontic treatment and one was planned for a surgical traction of unerupted tooth prior to cone-beam CT assessment. In this report, we reviewed the clinical findings and explained the radiographic appearance of idiopathic osteosclerosis through plain radiographs and cone-beam CT to facilitate its identification among general dentists and oral and maxillofacial radiologists.