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| Dental Cyst and How it Can Ruin Your Smile. |
Dental cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop in the jaw bone or soft tissue around an unerupted or partially erupted tooth. They are a type of odontogenic cyst, which means they originate from the cells that form teeth. Dental cysts can cause pain, swelling, infection, and tooth displacement if left untreated. In this article, we will explore the five most common dental cysts, their causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.
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| Dentigerous Cyst. |
1. Dentigerous Cyst
A dentigerous cyst is the most common developmental cyst that affects the teeth. It usually occurs in the third molars (wisdom teeth) and maxillary canines, as those teeth are often impacted or stuck in the jaw bone. A dentigerous cyst forms when fluid accumulates between the crown of an impacted tooth and the outer layer of enamel. The dental follicle, which is the tissue that surrounds the developing tooth, becomes enlarged and forms a sac around the tooth.
Symptoms
A dentigerous cyst may not cause any symptoms until it becomes large or inflamed. Some possible signs of a dentigerous cyst are:
Swelling in the jaw or face
Tooth sensitivity or pain
A small bump in the gum where the tooth should erupt
Tooth displacement or gaps between teeth
Diagnosis
A dentist can diagnose a dentigerous cyst by taking an X-ray of the mouth. The X-ray will show a radiolucent (dark) area with approximately 0.5 cm diameter with a radiopaque margin between the roots of the left mandibular lateral incisor and canine. The adjacent teeth had vital pulp.
Treatment
The treatment for a dentigerous cyst depends on its size and location. The main goal of treatment is to remove the cyst and prevent recurrence. The dentist may use one of the following methods:
Enucleation: This is a surgical procedure that involves removing the cyst and the affected tooth completely.
Marsupialization: This is a less invasive technique that involves making a small incision in the cyst and draining the fluid. The dentist then stitches the edges of the incision to keep it open and allow the cyst to shrink over time. The dentist may also place a small tube or drain in the cyst to prevent fluid accumulation.
Decompression: This is similar to marsupialization, but instead of stitching the incision open, the dentist places a small device or appliance in the mouth that keeps pressure on the cyst and allows it to collapse gradually.
If you want to learn more about wisdom teeth and their potential problems, you can read our blog post on dental invisible aligners and its benefits.
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| Odontogenic Keratocyst (OKC) |
2. Odontogenic Keratocyst
An odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is a rare developmental cyst that occurs in the back portion of the lower jaw near the third molars or wisdom teeth. It is also known as a keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) because it has a high recurrence rate and can behave aggressively. An OKC develops from remnants of the dental lamina, which is an embryonic structure that gives rise to teeth.
Symptoms
An OKC may not cause any symptoms until it grows large enough to affect nearby structures. Some possible signs of an OKC are:
Swelling or pain in the jaw
Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
Numbness or tingling in the lower lip or chin
Loosening or displacement of teeth
Diagnosis
A dentist can diagnose an OKC by taking an X-ray of the mouth. The X-ray will show a radiolucent (dark) area with well-defined borders in the lower jaw. The dentist may also take a biopsy of the cyst to examine it under a microscope and confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
The treatment for an OKC involves surgical removal of the cyst and careful follow-up to monitor for recurrence. The dentist may use one of these methods:
Enucleation: This is a surgical procedure that involves removing the cyst completely along with some surrounding bone.
Marsupialization: This is a less invasive technique that involves making a small incision in the cyst and draining the fluid. The dentist then stitches the edges of the incision to keep it open and allow the cyst to shrink over time. The dentist may also place a small tube or drain in the cyst to prevent fluid accumulation.
Decompression: This is similar to marsupialization, but instead of stitching the incision open, the dentist places a small device or appliance in the mouth that keeps pressure on the cyst and allows it to collapse gradually.
If you are interested in learning more about dental implants and their benefits, you can check out our blog post on dental implants and their benefits.
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| Radicular Cyst. |
3. Radicular Cyst
A radicular cyst is the most common inflammatory cyst that affects the teeth. It usually occurs at the tip of the root of a non-vital tooth, which means a tooth that has lost its blood supply and nerve function due to decay, trauma, or infection. A radicular cyst forms when bacteria invade the pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth) and cause inflammation and necrosis (death of tissue). The inflammation stimulates the proliferation of epithelial cells that line the root canal and form a sac around the root tip.
Symptoms
A radicular cyst may not cause any symptoms until it becomes large or infected. Some possible signs of a radicular cyst are:
Toothache or pain in the jaw
Swelling or redness in the gum around the affected tooth
Pus or fluid discharge from the gum
Fever or malaise
Diagnosis
A dentist can diagnose a radicular cyst by taking an X-ray of the mouth. The X-ray will show a radiolucent (dark) area at the tip of the root of a non-vital tooth. The dentist may also perform a pulp test to check the vitality of the tooth and a percussion test to check for tenderness.
Treatment
The treatment for a radicular cyst involves eliminating the source of infection and removing the cyst. The dentist may use one of these methods:
Root canal treatment: This is a procedure that involves cleaning and disinfecting the root canal and filling it with a material to seal it off from bacteria. The dentist may also place a crown over the tooth to protect it from further damage.
Apicoectomy: This is a surgical procedure that involves removing the tip of the root and the cyst along with it. The dentist then fills and seals the end of the root canal.
Extraction: This is a procedure that involves removing the entire tooth and the cyst along with it.
If you want to know more about root canal treatment and its procedures, you can read our blog post on dental impression materials.
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| Lateral Periodontal Cyst. |
4. Lateral Periodontal Cyst
A lateral periodontal cyst is a developmental cyst that occurs on the side of a tooth root, usually in the lower canine or premolar region. It develops from remnants of dental lamina, which is an embryonic structure that gives rise to teeth. A lateral periodontal cyst is often associated with vital teeth, which means teeth that have normal blood supply and nerve function.
Symptoms
A lateral periodontal cyst may not cause any symptoms until it becomes large or infected. Some possible signs of a lateral periodontal cyst are:
Swelling or bulging in the gum between two teeth
Tooth sensitivity or mobility
Pus or fluid discharge from the gum
Bad breath or taste
Diagnosis
A dentist can diagnose a lateral periodontal cyst by taking an X-ray of the mouth. The X-ray will show a radiolucent (dark) area on the side of a tooth root, usually between two teeth. The dentist may also take a biopsy of the cyst to examine it under a microscope and confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
The treatment for a lateral periodontal cyst involves surgical removal of the cyst and careful follow-up to monitor for recurrence. The dentist may use one of these methods:
Enucleation: This is a surgical procedure that involves removing the cyst completely along with some surrounding tissue.
Curettage: This is a surgical procedure that involves scraping out the cyst and some surrounding tissue with a sharp instrument.
Laser ablation: This is a minimally invasive technique that involves using a laser beam to vaporize the cyst and some surrounding tissue with a laser.
If you are curious about dental anomalies and their potential treatment, you can read our blog post on dental anomalies and potential treatment.
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| Glandular Odontogenic Cyst (GOC). |
5. Glandular Odontogenic Cyst
A glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is a rare and usually benign odontogenic cyst that occurs in the anterior region of the mandible or maxilla. It develops from remnants of dental lamina or salivary gland tissue that are trapped in the jaw bone. A GOC has a high recurrence rate and can be locally aggressive.
Symptoms
A GOC may not cause any symptoms until it becomes large or infected. Some possible signs of a GOC are:
Swelling or pain in the jaw
Loosening or displacement of teeth
Pus or fluid discharge from the gum
Ulceration or erosion of the oral mucosa
Diagnosis
A dentist can diagnose a GOC by taking an X-ray of the mouth. The X-ray will show a radiolucent (dark) area with irregular borders and possible root resorption in the anterior jaw. The dentist may also take a biopsy of the cyst to examine it under a microscope and confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
The treatment for a GOC involves surgical removal of the cyst and careful follow-up to monitor for recurrence. The dentist may use one of these methods:
Enucleation: This is a surgical procedure that involves removing the cyst completely along with some surrounding bone.
Curettage: This is a surgical procedure that involves scraping out the cyst and some surrounding bone with a sharp instrument.
Segmental resection: This is a surgical procedure that involves removing a segment of the jaw bone that contains the cyst.
If you want to know more about dental implants and what are the procedures related to it, you can read our blog post on what are dental implants and what are the procedures related to it.
Conclusion
Dental cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop in the jaw bone or soft tissue around an unerupted or partially erupted tooth. They can cause various symptoms and complications if left untreated. The five most common dental cysts are dentigerous cyst, odontogenic keratocyst, radicular cyst, lateral periodontal cyst, and glandular odontogenic cyst. The diagnosis and treatment of dental cysts depend on their type, size, location, and clinical features. The main goal of treatment is to remove the cyst and prevent recurrence. If you notice any swelling, pain, or unusual bumps in your mouth, especially around your molars and canines, you should consult your dentist as soon as possible.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and learned something new about dental cysts. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. And don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for more informative and interesting articles on dental health and wellness.
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