Differential Radiographic Diagnosis of Lesions of the Jawbones

Many lesions involving the jawbones produce characteristic and diagnostic radiographic changes; others produce protean characteristics with resultant overlap in radiographic features. As with bone pathosis involving other skeletal areas, microscopic examination is required when radiographic features are ambiguous or equivocal. Certain radiographic alterations are indicative of the basic underlying pathologic process. The characteristic radiography of lesions unique to the jawbones and lesions occurring in the jaws which may also involve other bones are reviewed.