Focal osteosclerosis and apical periodontal pathoses in “European” and Cape Coloured dental outpatients

Abstract

Standardized panoramic radiographs were used to determine and compare the prevalences of focal osteosclerosis (including condensing osteitis) and apical periodontal pathoses in a sequential presenting sample of 600 European and 600 Cape Coloured dental outpatients. Most cases of focal osteosclerosis were found in edentulous zones or associated with carious or inadequately restored teeth; however, some were subjacent to apparently sound teeth. Focal osteosclerosis of definite dental origin was just as common in participants aged 25 years and older as in younger individuals. While focal osteosclerosis occurred predominantly in the mandible, apical periodontal pathoses were distributed more evenly between both jaws.