Dental radiographic findings of malignant osteopetrosis: report of four cases

ABSTRACT

Osteopetrosis is a rare skeletal disorder that results from a defect in the differentiation and function of osteoclasts. The lack of normally functioning osteoclasts results in abnormal formation of the primary skeleton and a generalized increase in the bone mass. This disorder is inherited as an autosomal recessive [osteopetrosis congenita] and an autosomal dominant trait [osteopetrosis tarda]. In this article, we report four cases of malignant osteopetrosis and describe the clinical and dental radiographic findings associated with this rare disease