Cemento-osseous dysplasia (COD) is a benign condition of the

jaw The jaw is any opposable articulated structure at the entrance of the mouth, typically used for grasping and manipulating food. The term ''jaws'' is also broadly applied to the whole of the structures constituting the vault of the mouth and serv ...

s that may arise from the

fibroblast A fibroblast is a type of cell (biology), biological cell that synthesizes the extracellular matrix and collagen, produces the structural framework (Stroma (tissue), stroma) for animal Tissue (biology), tissues, and plays a critical role in wound ...

s of the

periodontal ligament The periodontal ligament, commonly abbreviated as the PDL, is a group of specialized connective tissue fibers that essentially attach a tooth to the alveolar bone within which it sits. It inserts into root cementum one side and onto alveolar b ...

s. It is most common in African-American

female Female (Venus symbol, symbol: ♀) is the sex of an organism that produces the large non-motile ovum, ova (egg cells), the type of gamete (sex cell) that fuses with the Sperm, male gamete during sexual reproduction. A female has larger gamet ...

s. The three types are periapical cemental dysplasia (common in those of African descent), focal cemento-osseous dysplasia (Caucasians), and florid cemento-osseous dysplasia (African descent). Periapical occurs most commonly in the mandibular anterior teeth while focal appears predominantly in the mandibular posterior teeth and florid in both maxilla and mandible in multiple quadrants. __TOC__

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is important so that the treating doctor does not confuse it for another periapical disease such as rarefying osteitis or

condensing osteitis Condensing osteitis is a periapical inflammatory disease that results from a reaction to a dental related infection. This causes more bone production rather than bone destruction in the area (most common site is near the root apices of premolars ...

. Incorrect diagnosis could lead to unnecessary

root canal treatment Root canal treatment (also known as endodontic therapy, endodontic treatment, or root canal therapy) is a treatment sequence for the infected pulp of a tooth which is intended to result in the elimination of infection and the protection of ...

s. It can be diagnosed by radiographic appearance. Confirming the tooth is vital, as is noting the demographic (African American females).

Treatment

There is no treatment necessary for any type of COD.
Xray and CBCT of periapical cementral dysplasia

References

*Kahn, Michael A. ''Basic Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology''. Volume 1. 2001. *Neville and Damm. ''Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology'', 3rd Edition. 2012. Pathology of the maxilla and mandible {{musculoskeletal-disease-stub