• Pioneer bacteria invade dentinal tubules before clinical signs
• Tubules contain pure forms:
  • One tubule → cocci
  • Adjacent tubule → bacilli or threads
• No mixed forms within a single tubule

 General Features

• Caused by mutation in DSPP gene (dentin sialophosphoprotein).

• Teeth appear translucent or opalescent.

• Enamel fractures easily due to poor dentin support.

• Pulp chambers are obliterated or enlarged depending on type.

• Also called Hereditary Opalescent Dentin or Shell Teeth.

Type II DI

• Pulp chambers are normal but rapidly obliterate.

• Associated with progressive hearing loss.

Type III DI

• Pulp chambers are large and shell-like.

• Seen in Brandywine isolate population.

• Bacteria adhere to acquired pellicle
• Coaggregation enables biofilm complexity
• Sucrose → lactic acid → pH drops → Hydroxyapatite dissolves

Key Enzymes Recap:

• Invertase → splits sucrose
• GTF → forms sticky glucans for adhesion
• FTF → synthesizes fructans for biofilm scaffolding

Chronic Osteomyelitis

• As soon as pus drains intra or extraorally, condition ceases to spread and chronic phase commences.
• Infection is localized but persistent as bacteria are able to grow in dead bone inaccessible to body’s defenses.

Clinical features

• Primary – insidious in onset , slight pain , gradual increase in jaw size.
• Secondary - Pain is deep pain and intermittent, temperature fluctuations , pyrexia , cellulitis eventually leading to abscess
• New bone formation leads to thickening causing facial asymmetry.
• Thickened or “wooden” character of bone in cr sec osteomyelitis.
• Eventually cures itself as the last sequestra is discharged.

Radiographic Features

• Trabeculae in the involved area become thin or appear fuzzy & then lose their continuity.
• After some time “moth eaten” appearance is seen
• Sequestra appear denser on radiographs.
• Where the subperiosteal new bone formation , the new bone is superimposed upon that of jaw, “fingerprint” or “orange peel” appearance is seen
• Cloacae seen as dark shadows passing through opacity.

Histologic features

• Areas of acute and subacute inflammation in the cancellous spaces of the necrotic bone.
• Foci of acute inflammation
• Active osteoclastic resorption of bone noted in peripheral portions

Chronic Subperiosteal Osteomyelitis

• Cortical plate deprived of its blood supply undergoes necrosis, underlying medullary bone  is slightly affected.
• Multiple small sequestra form, eventually discharged through sinuses with pus.
• Following extrusion of sequestra, healing occurs.
• Spontaneous drainage poor in submassetric area.
• Much of  body of mandible is lost due to poor central blood supply of the region.

D/D

• Paget’s disease – particularly wen periosteal bone is involved
• Fibrous dysplasia
• Osteosarcoma

Chronic sclerosing osteomyelitis

– focal

- diffuse

Focal Sclerosing Osteomyelitis

Clinical features

• Most commonly in children and young adults, rarely in older individuals.
• Tooth most commonly involved is the mandibular third molar presenting with a large carious lesion.
• No signs or symptoms other than mild pain associated with infected pulp.

Radiographic features

• Entire root outline always visible with intact lamina dura.
• Periodontal ligament space widened.
• Border smooth & distinct appearing to blend into surrounding bone

D/D for focal sclerosing osteomyelitis

• Local bone sclerosis
• Sclerosing cementoma
• Gigantiform cementoma

Treatment & prognosis

• Affected tooth may be treated endodontically or extracted.
• Sclerotic bone  not attached to tooth and remains behind after tooth is removed.
• This dense area may not get remodeled.
• Recognizable on bone years later and is referred as bone scar.

Diffuse Sclerosing Osteomyelitis

• May occur at any age, most common in older persons, esp in edentulous mandibles
• vague pain, unpleasant taste.
• Many times spontaneous formation of fistula seen opening onto mucosal surface to establish drainage
• Slowly progressive, not particularly dangerous since it is non destructive & seldom produces complications

Radiographic features

• Diffuse patchy, sclerosis of bone – “cotton wool” appearance
• Radiopacity may be extensive and bilateral.
• Due to diffuse nature, border between sclerosis & normal bone is often indistinct

D/D for DIFFUSE sclerosing osteomyelitis

FLORID OSSEOUS DYSPLASIA

SCLEROTIC CEMENTAL MASSES

TRUE CHR DIFFUSE SCLEROSING OSTEOMYELITIS

FIBROUS DYSPLASIA

Treatment & Prognosis

• Resolution of adjacent foci of chronic infection often leads to improvement.
• Usually too extensive to be removed surgically,
• Acute episodes treated with antibiotics.

Nasopalatine cyst

Radiology

The nasopalatine cyst appears as a well-defined, round radiolucency in the midline of the anterior maxilla . Sometimes it appears to be 'heart-shaped' because of super-imposition of the anterior nasal spine.

Radiological assessment should include examination of the lamina dura of the central incisors (to exclude a radicular cyst) and assessment of size (the nasopalatine foramen may reach a width of as much as 10 mm).

Pathology

The cyst is lined by a layer of pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium and/or stratified squamous epithelium. The capsule of the cyst is fibrous and may include the incisive canal neurovascular bundle.

Nasolabial cyst

Radiology

'Bowing' inwards of the anterolateral margin of the nasal cavity has been recorded

Pathology

The nasolabial cyst is lined by non-ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium, which is often rich in mucous cells.

Viral Infections

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1)

• Dormancy Sites: Trigeminal > Nodose (Vagus) > Dorsal Root > Brain
• Inclusions: Lipschutz bodies (intranuclear)
• Herpetic Whitlow: Finger lesions in dentists
• Location Difference:
  • Herpangina: Posterior palate
  • Herpes: Anterior palate

Herpes Zoster

• Key Feature: Lesions do not cross midline
• Ramsay Hunt Syndrome: Zoster of geniculate ganglion → facial paralysis

Measles

• Koplik's Spots: Disappear after skin rash onset

Rubella

• First Trimester: Blindness, deafness, cardiovascular defects

Mumps

• Complications: Orchitis, oophoritis (sterility), pancreatitis, meningoencephalitis