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

Posted on by Dr. Shawneen Gonzalez

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!

7 thoughts on “Case of the Week: Subpontic osseous hyperplasia (subpontic hyperostosis)”

    1. Some have hypothesized that it may be due a low grade inflammatory response and that in those certain individuals the body responds by creating more bone instead of moving away from the inflammation. It is an interesting response whatever the cause may be.

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