Regional odontodysplasia (Ghost teeth). A case report.

Regional odontodysplasia is a rare development anomaly affecting the teeth with an unknown etiology. This dental abnormality involves the hard tissues of the teeth that are derived from both epithelial (enamel) and mesenchymal (dentine & cementum) components of the tooth forming apparatus. Teeth in a region or quadrant of maxilla or mandible are affected to the extent that they exhibit short roots, wide open apical foramen and large pulp chamber, the thinness and poor mineralisation qualities of th enamel and dentine layers have given rise to a faint radiolucent image, hence the term "Ghost teeth". Both the permanent teeth and the deciduous teeth are affected. Females are more commonly affected than males. There is a maxillary predominance (2.5:1) with a predilection for the anterior teeth. Eruption of the affected teeth is delayed or does not occur. Because of the poor quality of the affected teeth, they cannot be rehabilitated for functional use therefore the treatment of choice is extraction with prosthetic replacement. However, necrosis and facial cellulitis appear to be a complication if these teeth are retained. A unique case of regional odontodysplasia affecting the entire right quadrant of mandible is reported here.