Odontogenic cysts are sacs that can be empty or filled with fluid, originating from epithelial cells that make teeth. There are six types, with the most common being periapical or radicular cysts. They are usually discovered during dental check-ups and treated with surgical removal.
An odontogenic cyst is a membrane-bound sac that may be empty or filled with a viscous substance or fluid. The membrane of this type of cyst comes from the epithelial cells that make the teeth. There are about six different types of these cysts. The nomenclature and descriptions of the different types of odontogenic cysts can be very variable. Most of these cysts are treated by surgical removal.
The most common type of odontogenic cyst is the periapical or radicular cyst. This type of cyst forms when the contents of a dead and decaying tooth penetrate the tissue at the base of the tooth. The inflamed tissue stimulates the growth of residual embryonic epithelial cells and eventually leads to the formation of a cyst. Removal of the dead tooth usually results in resorption of the periapical cysts, but when this does not occur, the cyst must be surgically removed and pathologically revised.
Dentigerous cysts are the second most common type of odontogenic cyst. These cysts develop inside the cavity of a tooth that has failed to come out of the gum. A very similar type of cyst is the odontogenic keratocyst tumor, also known as a primordial cyst, which forms when tissue within a dental follicle fails to develop into a tooth and instead produces a cyst.
When a cyst forms near the base of a molar that has only partially erupted from the gum, it is called a periodontal cyst. Gorlin’s cysts, also called calcifying odontogenic cysts, typically form in the front of the jaw and are often associated with an impacted tooth. A glandular odontogenic cyst is an extremely isolated cyst found in the lower jaw.
All of these types of cysts are usually discovered during the routine annual radiological review of the teeth at the dentist’s office. They can also be discovered when the dentist explores the reason for an unerupted tooth. Occasionally, an odontogenic cyst produces mild pain or discomfort that will lead a patient to see his or her dentist.
The typical treatment for these types of cysts is to watch the cyst grow to make sure it is not displacing surrounding teeth. If the size of the cyst threatens the health of the mouth, the cyst should be surgically removed and tissue pathology performed just to be sure the diagnosis is correct. When removing the cyst, it is important to remove all of the cyst tissue so that the cyst does not grow back. Accurate records of the exact location of the cyst should be kept in the patient’s medical record so that the area can be reviewed periodically for any signs of cyst growth.
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