Cementoblastoma

Overview
Cementoblastoma, or benign cementoblastoma, or cementoma, is a relatively uncommon benign neoplasm of the cementum of the teeth.

Clinical features
Cementoblastoma usually occurs in people under the age of 25, often involving the mandibular molars or premolars. The involved tooth usually has a vital pulp. It is attached to the tooth root and may cause its resorption, may involve the pulp canal, grows slowly, tends to expand the overlying cortical plates, and, except for the enlargement produced, is usually asymptomatic.

Radiographic features
A cementoblastoma in a radiograph appears as a well defined, markedly radiopaque mass, with a radiolucent peripheral "line", which overlies and obliterates the tooth root. There is usually apparent external resorption of the root where the tumor and the root join. Severe hypercementosis and chronic focal sclerosing osteomyelitis are lesions to consider in the diagnosis.

Treatment
Surgical excision of the lesion is done, and depending upon the clinical circumstances, this may or may not involve removal of the involved tooth.