FIBROUS DYSPLASIA AND BEYOND: UNDERSTANDING FIBRO-OSSEOUS JAW LESIONS

Fibro-osseous lesions (FOLs) of the jaws represent a spectrum of disorders characterized by the pathological substitution of normal bone with fibrous connective tissue and mineralized deposits. These entities encompass fibrous dysplasia (FD), cemento-osseous dysplasias (COD), and ossifying fibromas (OF), each demonstrating overlapping yet distinct clinical and radiographic profiles.Fibrous dysplasia, attributed to GNAS-1 gene mutations, manifests as an insidious, painless expansion of affected bones, resulting in facial asymmetry and dental malocclusion. Radiographically, it exhibits a characteristic "ground-glass" opacity. Therapeutic approaches range from conservative observation to bisphosphonate administration and surgical intervention in cases of significant functional or aesthetic compromise.Cemento-osseous dysplasias, comprising periapical, focal, and florid variants, arise from periodontal ligament progenitor cells. These lesions, predominantly affecting middle-aged women, exhibit a well-defined progression from radiolucency to sclerosis. Typically asymptomatic, they necessitate intervention only in instances of secondary infection.