Mandibular cysts are small sacs that can form around the lower jaw and can vary in type and cause. They can be filled with fluid, dead skin cells, and debris, and can cause pain and inflammation. Treatment options depend on the nature and location of the cyst, and early diagnosis is important to prevent complications.
Mandibular cysts are small sacs that form around the lower jaw, known as the jawbone. There are several types, each with a distinct cause, and treatment options may depend on the nature of the cyst and its location. Patients usually notice them when they grow large enough to create swelling or when processes within the cyst create pain and inflammation. Some can be extremely painful.
One of the most common types of jaw cyst is an odontogenic cyst, located near the teeth and lined with epithelial cells involved in tooth formation. Sometimes patients have primordial mandibular cysts, pockets that form in the gaps where teeth should have grown. Others may have cysts with a variety of causes, including cancerous growths in the jawbone or around the gums.
Cysts around the lower jaw can be filled with fluid, dead skin cells, and debris. They can vary in size and can grow over time, often hardening due to chronic inflammation. If a cyst is left untreated, it can potentially eat through the cheek or jaw and cause considerable pain. In cancerous cysts, treatment is essential to prevent the cancer from spreading. Patients can lose jaws to these cysts if they fail to receive treatment and the growths are particularly aggressive.
Sometimes the growth causes no symptoms in the early stages. A patient may notice a lump or swelling, or the cyst may only be visible on an X-ray of the teeth and jaw. If a dentist identifies a cyst, the first course of action is usually a request for a biopsy to learn more about what’s inside. Mandibular cysts can sometimes be biopsied with scrapings, and in other cases needle aspiration or surgical biopsy is required. A pathologist can examine the sample to find out what types of cells are involved and to check for a malignant tumor.
Patients can develop jaw cysts at any age. Sometimes they are associated with ongoing periodontal disease and in other cases there are no clear risk factors. Oral or jaw pain, even without other symptoms such as obvious growths, can be a cause for concern. The patient should seek medical treatment to determine the cause of the pain and discuss treatment options. Oral health problems can become pernicious and can expose patients to the risk of complications such as migratory infections if not addressed promptly.
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