Frequency of Condensing Osteitis in the Apexes of Teeth with Deep Caries and Large Restorations in Panoramic Radiographs of Patients at Sari Dental School

Condensing osteitis is the local reaction of bone to a pulp inflammatory stimulus with low intensity and long duration and is the most common radiopaque pathogen lesion in the jaw. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the frequency of condensing osteitis in apex of teeth with deep caries and restorations in panoramic radiographs.

This cross-sectional study evaluated panoramic radiographs of 2039 patients attending Sari Dental School clinic for dental treatments during 2018-19. Demographic information, including age and sex were recorded. All panoramic radiographs were taken with Cranex D (soredex, Finland) panoramic device and Ortho CP-G Plus films. Lesions in the area of teeth with extensive restoration or deep caries (condensing osteitis) were examined in both jaws. Data were analyzed in SPSS V21 using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Fisher's exact test and Chi-square.

According to findings, 364 panoramic radiographs had condensing osteitis. The frequency of radiopacity at the apex of teeth with condensing osteitis was significantly higher in women than men (P=0.042). But there was no significant association between condensing osteitis and border, shape, jaw type, tooth type, and age (P<0.05).

This study showed a relatively high prevalence of condensing osteitis in our patients in dental clinic at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Current findings support the theory that condensing osteitis lesions may form a reaction associated with severely decayed, restored, or pulpitized teeth.