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Regional Odontodysplasia — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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ModerateOral PathologyRegional OdontodysplasiaMFDS Part 1

A child has delayed eruption of several contiguous maxillary teeth. The erupted teeth in that region are small, malformed and yellow-brown. Which radiographic appearance would most strongly support a diagnosis of regional odontodysplasia?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: C — Reduced radiopacity, with thin enamel and dentine and enlarged pulp chambers

Explanation lettering: D = shown as A · E = shown as B · A = shown as C · B = shown as D · C = shown as E

Option A is correct. Regional odontodysplasia is a localised developmental abnormality affecting enamel and dentine in adjacent teeth. Both tissues are hypoplastic and hypomineralised, producing markedly reduced radiopacity, little contrast between enamel and dentine, thin dental hard tissues and relatively large pulp chambers—the characteristic “ghost-tooth” appearance. Delayed or failed eruption and small, discoloured, malformed crowns reinforce the diagnosis. Enlarged pulp chambers with otherwise normal hard tissues (B) do not produce ghost teeth. Sclerosis and pulp obliteration (C) are the opposite radiographic pattern. Supernumerary tooth germs (D) and accessory roots with normal radiopacity (E) are unrelated developmental abnormalities.

Reference: Nijakowski K, Woś P, Surdacka A. Regional Odontodysplasia: A Systematic Review of Case Reports. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022;19(3):1683. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35162705/