What might you expect to find on a radiograph with a left maxillary central tooth that is impacted with a large radiopaque ball?

Study for the CDCA North East Regional Board (NERB) Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Get ready for your test!

When considering the scenario of a left maxillary central tooth that is impacted and accompanied by a large radiopaque ball, the correct answer is odontoma. An odontoma is a type of benign odontogenic tumor that can present as a well-defined radiopaque mass in the jaw. They are typically composed of enamel, dentin, and sometimes pulp tissue, which gives them a characteristic radiopaque appearance on radiographs.

Odontomas can appear as compound or complex forms, with the complex odontoma being more likely to present as a single radioopaque mass without the organized tooth-like structures found in compound odontomas. This radiopaque ball can be indicative of an odontoma that has formed as a result of abnormal tooth development and is often associated with impacted teeth.

In contrast, while odontogenic tumors can also be radiopaque, they generally present with more complex features and a broader range of radiographic appearances. Cystic lesions usually appear radiolucent rather than radiopaque and are not likely to present as a solid, radiopaque mass. Lastly, a supernumerary tooth might show up as an additional tooth structure but would not typically present as a singular, large radiopaque mass. Therefore, the presence of a large radiopaque ball in the context given

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