An unusual case of incomplete healing with intraosseous fibrous scar formation in the surgically enucleated site associated with a Type II dens invaginatus: A 4-year follow-up case report

Abstract

Dens invaginatus is a developmental deformation with varying anatomical features, caused by the envelopment of the enamel organ and/or the Hertwig’s epithelial root sheath within the tooth before calcification completes, increasing the vulnerability of pulpal and periodontal inflammation, posing challenges to treatment, and adequate healing. Cell rest of Malassez, remnants of enamel organ or root sheet may cause cystic lesion formations, also hinder the normal healing process and form a fibrous scar. Intraosseous fibrous scar is a result of incomplete wound healing after periradicular surgery which mimics an asymptomatic residual cyst clinically and radiographically. We herein report a case of a surgically managed an immature maxillary lateral incisor affected with Type II dens invaginatus associated with incomplete periradicular healing presented as intraosseous fibrous scar with a persistent well-defined radiolucency between the healthy trabecular bone. The regular clinical and radiographic follow-up records the asymptomatic endodontically treated dens invaginatus with an intact lamina dura and regular healing trabecular bone pattern. Its 4 years of post-operative evaluation has been presented. Features of this case, causes of such incomplete healing, diagnosis, treatment line, prognosis, and the dilemma of the clinician are discussed together with its probable implications.