Periapical radiopacities – a diagnostic dilemma

The radiographic recognition of a disease requires knowledge of the radiographic appearance of normal structures. A good diagnosis mandates appreciation of a wide range of variation in the appearance of normal structures. Pathologies or any variations in the normal landmarks will appear either as radiopaque, radiolucent or mixed lesions on the radiographs and clinician must be aware of these altered radiographic appearances. There are multitudinous lesions occurring in the bone and this review highlights the periapical radiopaque jaw lesions which often go unnoticed clinically.