Abstract
Background and Overview
Mönckeberg arteriosclerosis is a disease of unknown etiology characterized by dystrophic
calcifications within the tunica media of small- and medium-sized arteries, leading
to reduced arterial compliance. The authors report a case discovered incidentally
on dental radiographs.
Case Description
A 78-year-old man with a complex medical history was seen for routine oral health
care. Panoramic and bite-wing radiographs revealed a tortuous, linear calcification
in the area of the left mandibular first molar anterior to the angle of the mandible
and suggestive of a calcified facial artery.
Conclusions and Practical Implications
Medical radiologists have used the presence of arterial calcifications to determine
the severity and prognosis of such diseases as primary hyperparathyroidism, secondary
hyperparathyroidism, coronary artery disease, and diabetes. The presence of Mönckeberg
arteriosclerosis on dental radiographs can help oral health care professionals identify
patients with undiagnosed systemic disease.
Key Words
Abbreviation Key:
CKD (Chronic kidney disease)
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Biography
Dr. Fitzgerald is a postgraduate year 1 resident, Advanced Education in General Dentistry, James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.
Biography
Dr. Ziegler is a program director, Advanced Education in General Dentistry, James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.
Biography
Dr. Green is an adjunct assistant professor, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
Biography
Dr. Neville is a distinguished university professor, James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.
Article Info
Publication History
Published online: August 06, 2021
Accepted:
April 26,
2021
Received in revised form:
October 22,
2020
Received:
May 26,
2020
Publication stage
In Press Corrected Proof
Footnotes
Disclosure. None of the authors reported any disclosures.
Identification
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2021.04.018
Copyright
© 2021 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.
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