title: Case report of a dilated odontome in the posterior mandible.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dens invaginatus (dens in dente) is a developmental malformation resulting from an invagination of enamel organ into the dental papilla, beginning at the crown and sometimes extending into the root before calcification occurs. Dilated odontome is the most extreme form of dens invaginatus and it is extremely rare in the posterior mandible.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 47 years old female patient with occasional episodes of diffuse pain and discomfort in the left posterior mandibular region. The extra-oral examination showed slight facial asymmetry. Panoramic and intra-oral X-rays show an intraosseous circular formation with radiopaque external limits and radiolucent interior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Computerized tomography scan reveals the bone integrity around the formation, as well as the independence of the neuro-vascular structures of the region. The most likely diagnostic option was dilated odontome. The enucleation procedure was carried out, and the fragments were sent to histopathological examination that revealed a diagnosis consistent with a dilated odontome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this case, the conservative surgical approach after planning was effective and predictable in the treatment of the pathology and patient symptoms without major complications.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Campus Viseu. Estrada da Circunvalação, 3504-505 Viseu, Portugal. Electronic address: leitaoalmeida@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Clínica Médico-Dentária Dr. Silva, Rua Nuno Álvares, 6300 Guarda, Portugal.
authors.forename: António
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Campus Viseu. Estrada da Circunvalação, 3504-505 Viseu, Portugal.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Clínica Médico-Dentária Dr. Silva, Rua Nuno Álvares, 6300 Guarda, Portugal.
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Sorri.dente Clínica Médico-Dentária, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 147, R/c 3510-075, Portugal.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nunes
keywords: Dens in dente; Dens invaginatus; Odontome