About Mark Bornfeld DDS Expertise I can respond to all questions dealing with the practice of dentistry, from both the dentist`s and patient`s perspective. I am knowledgeable about all dental disciplines, from cosmetic dentistry to surgery, from restorative dentistry to root canal treatment. I have strong opinions about controversial issues in dental practice, including those topics which directly impact on the reputation of the profession in the eyes of both the lay public and our health profession colleagues.
Experience
Past/Present Clients Editor, Queens County Academy of General Dentistry newsletter; contributor to Dentistry.com 29 years practicing general dentistry partnered with brother Steve as one-half of the DentalTwins®
Question Hi Dr. Bornfeld...I wrote you a couple of weeks back about strange bilateral
tooth and face pain I've been having for 8 months.
I wanted to let you know I had some more xrays done, and I have what is
believed to be condensing osteitis between the two lower molars which have
been causing me pain. I'm getting a CT scan tomorrow to make sure it is not
something more serious.
I am aware osteitis usually comes from infection/inflammation. It is possible
this infection or inflammation could have spread to the other side of my jaw
and face?
I'm going for treatment in a couple of days. I just wanted to share this new
information with you and get your counsel. Many thanks.
Answer Dear Kristin,
No-- condensing osteitis does not spread, much less jump to the other side of the jaw. If a lesion resembling condensing osteitis is present on both sides of the jaw, the two lesions are either independent and unrelated to each other, or they represent some pathological entity OTHER than condensing osteitis-- perhaps one of the fibro-osseous disorders such as osseous dysplasia.
Condensing osteitis is usually easily identified by its close association with a contiguous infected tooth, or with the socket of a recently extracted infected tooth. Unfortunately, some dentists use the term "condensing osteitis" as a catchbasin term to describe anything that resembles it on x-ray, regardless of whether the other diagnostic parameters fit.
If your dentist is unclear as to the true diagnosis, it would be preferable for you to request a referral to an oral pathologist for more formal exploration.
Mark Bornfeld DDS
www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
