Mönckeberg’s Arteriosclerosis: Radiographic Findings in Dental Examinations

Abstract

Mönckeberg’s arteriosclerosis, or medial arterial calcification, is a rare, degenerative, non-inflammatory disease of unknown cause. Between 2019 and 2024, twelve cases were identified, all in men over 50 years. In eleven cases, digital panoramic radiographs showed slightly radiopaque, tubular, and sinuous structures of varying sizes, usually with partially defined borders. The findings were mostly bilaterally symmetrical, superimposed on the mandible or adjacent soft tissues, with one case affecting the temporomandibular joint. Four cases underwent Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), where multiplanar reconstructions with brightness and contrast adjustments confirmed calcifications in the tunica media without affecting the vascular lumen. Depending on the imaging plane, calcifications appeared circular, oval, or canal-shaped. Recognition of Mönckeberg’s arteriosclerosis during routine dental imaging is often incidental but clinically relevant. Dentists play a key role in detecting these calcifications, which may indicate underlying systemic conditions and support timely interdisciplinary referrals for patient care.