Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) aided diagnosis and surgical management of a complex odontome in the mandible

Mandible is the most common site for various osseous pathologies in the head and neck region. Radiopaque masses undergo a transformation in three stages a radiolucent, mixed radiolucent-radiopaque, and completely radiopaque. In this case, a radiopaque mass was noted incidentally on an orthopantomogram in the posterior mandible and to further ascertain its operability a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging was performed which revealed the true nature and extent of the pathology. CBCT by its virtue of multidimensional imaging capability not only portrays more information at a lower patient dose than CT but also helps alleviate a surgical dilemma in treatment planning. In addition, it also helps identify the progression of pathology, its exact dimensions and hence prevents unnecessary second surgery