Case of the Week: Subpontic osseous hyperplasia (subpontic hyperostosis) 7


This week I’m sharing examples of excess bone growth in response to a pontic – subpontic osseous hyperplasia or subpontic hyperostosis.  There have been some theories as to etiologies including a low grade inflammatory process causing the body to create more bone that can reach up to the pontic in some cases. A few reported cases show that if the pontic is removed the bone will slowly atrophy back to normal limits and in one case when a new pontic was placed the excess bone growth came back.  I find it really interesting. 😀

Here are some examples (sorry for the small images).

Bitewing radiograph - smaller but still excess bone growth under a pontic.

Bitewing radiograph – smaller but still excess bone growth under a pontic.

 

Sort of a bitewing - note the radiopaque mass with radiopacity of bone inferior to the pontic.

Sort of a bitewing – note the radiopaque mass with radiopacity of bone inferior to the pontic.

 

Periapical radiograph - excess bone touching the pontic.

Periapical radiograph – excess bone touching the pontic.

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. Thanks and enjoy!


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