A dentigerous cyst is a benign, fluid-filled lump that forms around an unerupted tooth and is often discovered by chance on an X-ray. It can cause tooth movement or break the jaw, and in rare cases, develop into a tumor. Treatment involves surgical removal of the cyst and associated tooth.
A cyst is a hollow, fluid-filled lump, and a dentigerous cyst is a cyst that forms around the enamel crown of a tooth that has failed to come out of the jaw. It is the second most common type of odontogenic cyst, where odontogenic means something that is associated with tooth development. A dentigerous cyst, sometimes known as a follicular cyst, is typically benign or noncancerous.
In most cases, a dentigerous cyst causes no symptoms and is commonly discovered by chance on an X-ray. The cysts most often occur singly and about three-quarters are found in the lower jaw. Because they form around unerupted teeth, they are more likely to occur in association with those teeth that are often impacted, such as wisdom teeth. These types of cysts are almost always found on adult, permanent teeth and very rarely in children. Both men and women can have them, and they are most commonly found in people in their twenties and thirties.
A dentigerous cyst is created when fluid builds up inside the developing sac, or follicle, that surrounds an unerupted tooth. The fluid builds up after the enamel crown has finished forming and the cyst eventually joins the tooth where the enamel meets the root. Although this type of cyst is usually small, large ones can develop that can cause tooth movement or break the jaw, even causing a fracture in extreme cases. Occasionally a cyst can become infected. In very rare cases it can develop into an ameloblastoma, a tumor which, although benign, creates a problem by growing and invading the surrounding tissues and must be surgically removed.
Although a dentigerous cyst can be recognized on an X-ray, unless it is very small, it is usually surgically removed, along with the associated tooth. Even a small cyst is usually monitored for any increase in size. Once the cyst has been extracted, it can be examined under a microscope to distinguish it from some tumors that can mimic its appearance on an X-ray. These include ameloblastoma and a type of cancer known as squamous cell carcinoma, which can occasionally result from a dentigerous cyst. Usually, the cyst and tooth can be surgically removed without complications, and the cyst is unlikely to recur, except in rare cases where the removal was incomplete.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
