Anterior mandibular lingual salivary gland defect: a report of a case diagnosed with cone-beam computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Anterior mandibular lingual salivary gland defects are rare. They may be evident on routine radiographic exam. Because the differential diagnosis can be exhaustive, differential interpretation and diagnosis are crucial. A case of large bilateral radiolucent lesions of the anterior mandible that was an anterior mandibular salivary gland defect is reported in a young female. This lesion was initially visualized on a panoramic radiograph. Further evaluation was undertaken with dental cone-beam computed tomography. Confirmation of bilateral anterior mandibular lingual salivary gland defects was made using magnetic resonance imaging, negating the need for surgical biopsy.