Jaw Osteomyelitis as a Complication in Osteopetrosis

Abstract

Osteopetrosis is a rare bone dysplasia. The disease is characterized by osteoclast dysfunction, producing diffuse symmetrical increase in skeletal bone density and exhibiting various clinical manifestation because of heterogeneous entity. Among them, jaw osteomyelitis, frequently mandibular osteomyelitis, is an important complication encountered in these patients. In this article, 2 patients diagnosed with osteopetrosis with mandibular osteomyelitis would be presented. We used debridement and decortications, removal of hopeless teeth, and topical phenytoin in the management of mandibular osteomyelitis.