BACKGROUND: Osteoma is a benign osteogenic lesion characterized by the proliferation of compact or cancellous bone. Although this tumour has a considerable incidence, there are few reports with large samples on this subject. OBJECTIVES: To describe clinical features of the osteomas in the craniomaxilofacial region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 106 patients diagnosed with 132 osteomas of the craniomaxilofacial region between 1986 and 2003. RESULTS: The mean age was 50 years. Osteomas were more frequent in men. Forty-nine per cent were of peripheral type, 29% central osteomas and 21% were located in the paranasal sinuses. Eighty-nine cases (84%) were operated and 80 patients were regularly followed up. Out of these, 73 did not recur. The seven recurrences were central osteomas. CONCLUSIONS: Osteomas usually appear in patients with more than 30-year old. Peripheral type showed the highest incidence among these lesions. Central and peripheral osteomas usually do not originate clinical symptoms whereas the ones located in paranasal sinuses can provoke headache and neuralgia/paresthesia.

Jesús** B e r i n i -A y t é s , Leonardo*** G a y -E s c o d a , Cosme****Resumen: El láser de diodo tiene numerosas aplicaciones en la especialidad de Cirugía Bucal siendo utilizado preferentemente para realizar intervenciones quirúrgicas sobre los tejidos blandos siempre que no impliquen un excesivo sangrado. En Endodoncia, Implantología Bucofacial y Periodoncia se emplea por su importante efecto bactericida. También se utiliza en procedimientos de blanqueamiento dentario. Es importante controlar adecuadamente el tiempo de aplicación y la potencia de trabajo para evitar el sobrecalentamiento de los tejidos vecinos, lo que produciría su necrosis. Siempre que se utilice el láser de diodo se debe efectuar la protección ocular recomendada tanto para el profesional, sus ayudantes y personal auxiliar, como para el paciente.