Pre-eruptive coronal radiolucency in a mandibular premolar: a case report and literature review.

This report describes a coronal radiolucency in an unerupted mandibular premolar. This anomaly, which most frequently involves the mandibular second molars, has been variously attributed to dental caries, dentine hypoplasia, inclusions of uncalcified enamel matrix, and resorption. The present instance was considered to be due to external resorption. Because these lesions may enlarge rapidly, frequent radiographic monitoring of an affected tooth is recommended. Early restorative treatment has been shown to be successful even in affected teeth with small pulp exposures.