What are dental cysts
Dental cysts (odontogenic cysts) are closed cavities that form within the bones of the mandible (most common) and maxilla. These are well-circumscribed cavities lined with a lining epithelium, which is a mucous membrane that precisely encloses the cyst and separates it from the remaining bone tissue within which it has formed. Inside the cavity there is always material that may be serous or mucous, rarely gaseous.
We can distinguish three main categories of cysts:
- Root cysts: these are cysts that originate from the roots of teeth undergoing chronic inflammatory processes.
- Follicular cysts: develop from some epithelial cells of developing dental germs. There is often an included tooth inside.
- Paradentary cysts: these generally develop between the premolars of the mandible.
What should be distinguished from
It is then important to make a distinction between dental cysts and
- Pseudo-cysts: cavities these, of different origin, characterized by not being lined by epithelium. They are usually aspects of intraosseous tumor proliferations.
- Dental abscesses: pus-filled cavities commonly originating from necrosis of the dental pulp by destructive caries or from infected periodontal pockets in periodontal disease (pyorrhea).
- Root granuloma: chronic infection of limited size, usually involving a tooth root, always caused by necrosis of the tooth pulp. It appears as a solid, well-organized structure of inflammatory tissue.
How tooth cysts form
The causes of cyst formation are not unique:
- Presence of included tooth germs or actual included teeth. The cyst has been present since birth or is developmentally related.
- Late complication of dental procedures such as extractions, devitalizations.
- Complications of dental granulomas.
- Trauma (as in the case of an accident) that resulted in necrosis of a tooth.
How do you know you have them: are there symptoms?
Usually, dental cysts are asymptomatic and one becomes aware of them incidentally, during dental radiographic investigations performed for other reasons.
If large, they can produce swelling and swelling, soreness of varying intensity, and mobility of the dental elements. In some cases they can cause fracture of the jaw.
The correct diagnostic approach includes:
- A biopsy examination to avert the possibility that it could be a cancerous pseudocyst.
- CT cone-beam: 3 D tomographic examination allows the size, shape and relationship to the adjacent teeth and mandibular nerve (for mandibular cysts) and maxillary sinuses and nasal cavities in general (for maxillary cysts) to be defined.
Surgery to treat dental cyst
The actual therapeutic treatment is commonly surgical. The size and relationship to adjacent teeth determine the degree of invasiveness of the surgery:
- Apicectomy: When the cyst is small and glued to the root of a tooth, a minimally invasive procedure can be performed that involves precisely removing the cyst and the apical portion of the involved root root.
- Cystectomy: When the cyst is larger in size, delicate surgery must be performed, which should result in complete enucleation of the cyst. Often one is forced to sacrifice teeth placed on top because of the inability to reach the cyst.
Following removal of an odontogenic cyst, it is important to follow periodic checkups to avoid and prevent recurrence.
Prevention is very important, periodic dental checkups and a panoramic X-ray of the dental arches are recommended to ensure a long oral health. Book a visit now at our dental center in Castel Maggiore
