Cemental Dysplasia: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment for Black Women

Cemental dysplasias are slow-growing, progressive bone diseases that affect black women after age 40. These benign dental disorders involve genetic or trauma-related lesions that grow under the affected teeth. Diagnosis is based on several factors and treatment depends on severity.

Cemental Dysplasia

• Cemental dysplasias are generally characterized as painless dental diseases with growths developing under the teeth of the lower jaw. There are two types: Periapical cemental dysplasia is a condition that affects the localized bone and calcification around the highest point of the tooth. It mostly affects the front canine teeth on the lower jaw. Fibroid cemental dysplasia differs in that the lesions are diffused under many teeth.

Diagnosis

• Cemental dysplasis are often wrongly diagnosed as periapical cysts or granulomas, both of which require more intense treatment. The diseases cannot be seen by the naked eye and require evaluation of a person's genetics or any history of trauma to the head or neck, as well as X-rays, biopsies and vitality tests of the pulp of the teeth.

Treatment

• Observation over several years is the main approach to tracking the disease. The lesions should stabilize in size over time and subsequent biopsies and X-rays are used to ensure that these lesions are in benign. The pulp vitality test is also used to monitor the affected teeth to ensure that they remain healthy and to diagnose the disease correctly. If the lesions continue to grow, a dissection including removal of the tooth might be required. In severe cases, medication is used to prevent further calcification.