Olgun TOPAL, Burcu GÜÇYETMEZ TOPAL, Esra Nur AKGÜL, Aslı YATAR
Anatolian Current Medical Journal - 2026;8(1):66-70
Aims: Condensing osteitis (CO) is a localized radiopaque bone reaction to chronic low-grade pulpal inflammation, rarely investigated in children. This retrospective study aimed to determine the prevalence and radiographic characteristics of CO in a pediatric population. Methods: A total of 3812 panoramic radiographs of children aged 7-14 years (54.6% girls, 45.4% boys) were evaluated. CO was diagnosed based on radiopaque bone formation adjacent to mandibular first molar apices associated with carious or restored teeth. Data on age, gender, tooth number, affected root, caries/restoration status, and lesion morphology were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v26; p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: CO was identified in 1% (n=38) of patients, all in mandibular first molars. The mean age of affected individuals (12.2+/-1.5 years) was significantly higher than unaffected ones (10.9+/-1.7 years), (p<0.001). No significant gender difference was observed (p>0.05). Radiographically, 55% of cases involved a single root, most frequently the mesial root (42.5%). Lesions were mainly U-shaped (51.7%) and associated with untreated carious teeth (85%). Additional dental anomalies were detected in 37.5% of cases. Conclusion: CO in children appears to represent an active bone adaptation to chronic pulpal irritation rather than a post-treatment sclerotic reaction commonly seen in adults. Early recognition is important for timely management of chronic pulp inflammation and differentiation from other radiopaque jaw lesions.
