A large complex infected odontome: Case report and review of literature

Abstract

Odontomas are benign, slow-growing, and nonaggressive tumors of the jaw. Odontomas are largely considered as hamartomatous lesions but their exact etiology is still a matter of debate. Odontomes are usually asymptomatic, but sometimes they may interfere with the eruption of the associated tooth leading to its impaction. This case report illustrates large symptomatic infected complex odontome in the left mandibular third molar region. Very interestingly, the patient presented with typical features mimicking osteomyelitis. Various investigations including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) were done to differentiate and localize the lesion. This article also discusses the various atypical presentations of odontome described in the literature so far and also the benefits of CBCT in terms of diagnosis and localization of odontomas, especially with respect to impacted tooth and mandibular canal.