American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Practice Exam 2025 - Free Orthodontics Practice Questions and Study Guide

Regional odontodysplasia is often referred to as "ghost teeth" due to the characteristic radiographic appearance of the affected teeth. In dental imaging, these teeth appear less dense and exhibit a ghost-like translucency because of their incomplete formation and abnormal mineralization. This condition typically affects a specific region of the jaw, where the teeth in that area may show underdevelopment or malformation.

The term emphasizes the striking visual differences seen in the affected teeth when compared to normal dentition, which helps in identifying the condition during clinical evaluations. The other choices, while related to dental conditions, do not specifically refer to regional odontodysplasia, making them less relevant. For instance, delayed tooth eruption pertains to the timing of teeth coming in, cleft palate refers to a congenital split in the roof of the mouth, and supernumerary teeth are additional teeth beyond the normal count. These terms describe different dental or oral anomalies, but none capture the unique characteristics of regional odontodysplasia as effectively as "ghost teeth."