The radiological appearance of gold thread cosmetic treatment

A female patient aged 64 had bitewing radiographs in February 2006 (Figure 1a and b) – no pathology or abnormalities were observed.

The patient was an irregular attender and, on returning for a check-up in January 2009, further bitewings were taken (Figure 2a and b). The patient had no complaints and, on examination, both intra-orally and extra-orally, there were no apparent abnormalities present.

Multiple wavy thin linear, but irregularly positioned, radio-opacities were noted superimposed bilaterally over the teeth, mandible, ramus and soft tissues. Intraand extra-orally there was no evidence of any ‘fibres’ which could be held responsible for the radiographic picture. Furthermore, these radio-opacities did not seem to bear resemblance to any of the more commonly found superimposed radio-opacities, such as calcifications of acne, phleboliths associated with soft tissue haemangiomas which are calcified, or miliary osteomas of the soft tissues.

The patient did not return for a further check-up until May 2011 when further bitewing radiographs were taken (Figure 3a and b).