Abstract
Radiopaque lesions and lesions of mixed density are less frequent than radiolucent
lesions of the jawbones. They comprise a spectrum of odontogenic and non-odontogenic
lesions. The latter group includes inherited and developmental disorders, osteomyelitis,
and benign and malignant primary bone tumors and metastases. Most odontogenic radiopaque
or mixed lesions are either related to the apex or more rarely to the crown of the
tooth, although there are exceptions to this rule. Some lesions, such as a torus mandibularis
and torus palatinus, have a characteristic location, whereas others show no relationship
to the dentition. This article describes the most characteristic and prevalent radiopaque
and mixed lesions of the jaws and their imaging characteristics. Paget's disease,
fibrous dysplasia, and rare sclerotic bone diseases of the maxillofacial bones are
discussed elsewhere in this issue. Careful correlation of clinical presentation, panoramic
radiographs, cone beam computed tomography, and histopathology are the cornerstones
for appropriate lesion characterization.
Keywords
jaws - tumor and tumor-like lesions - increased bone density - cone beam computed
tomography - imaging
