Signs and Symptoms - Focal radiodensity of the jaw, not inflammatory, dysplastic, neoplastic, or a manifestation of a systemic disease - Common condition, affecting 5% of the population, typically seen in teens and those in their 20s - Usually asymptomatic and found incidentally on a radiograph - Can be found anywhere in the jaw, most commonly in the mandibular premolar-molar region - Shape ranges from round to linear streaks to occasional angular forms

Cause - Mostly unknown (idiopathic) - May be a reaction to past trauma or infection, difficult to rule out in some cases

Diagnosis - Usual diagnosis is via radiograph and patient history - Biopsy is rarely needed - Periodic follow-ups should include additional radiographs to monitor minimal growth or regression

Radiology - Well-defined, rounded or triangular radiodensity, uniformly opaque - No lucent component - Found near the root apex or in the inter-radicular area - Rare occurrence of root resorption and tooth movement - Blends into bone cortices without expansion or thinning

Differential Diagnosis - Condensing osteitis, sclerosing osteomyelitis, enostosis cementoblastoma, cemento-osseous dysplasia, hypercementosis, exostoses (tori) - Condensing osteitis may resemble idiopathic osteosclerosis, but associated teeth will have pulpitis or pulpal necrosis

Treatment: - No treatment is necessary