Dentigerous Cysts in Primary Dentition: Report of 2 cases

Dentigerous Cysts in Primary Dentition: Report of 2 cases

Resident: Tyler Roberts
Author: Delbem et al
Journal: Pediatric Dentistry
Volume # 28:3, pages 269-271
Year: 2006
Major topic: Dentigerous cyst in children/adolescents
Type of article: case review
Kep pts/findings:
Dentigerous cyst are benign odontogenic cysts associated with the crowns of unerupted permanent teeth. They are usually single in occurrence and located in the mandible. They are the second most common type of odontogenic cyst, accounting for 49% of all cystic lesions. They are most common in male patients and frequently occur during the second or third decade of life. These lesions are usually asymptomatic and discovered at the time of routine radiographic examination. If the cyst is greater than 2cm in diameter swelling, mild sensitivity, tooth mobility and displacement may be observed. Radiographically these lesions are symmetric, well-defined, unilocular surrounding the crown of the unerupted tooth. Possible complications include: permanent bone deformation or fracture, expansive bone destruction, loss of permanent teeth, development of squamous cell carcinoma

Case 1
A 10 year old presented with swelling on the left side of his jaw. An intraoral examination revealed bulging along the cortical bone that extended from his mandibular left first bicuspid to the distal of the permanent mandibular left first molar and a radiographic lesion that appeared unilocular, radiolucent and was associated with the dental crown of the bud of the mandibular left second molar. A differential diagnosis suggested a dentigerous cyst. Marsupialization was chosen as treatment. The primary mandibular left second molar was extracted, the lesion was decompressed and a space maintenance appliance was inserted. The parents were told to irrigate the lesion with listerine solution and clean the appliance daily. A histopathologic examination revealed that the lesion was indeed a dentigerous cyst.

Case 2
An 8 year old boy, was found to have a volumetric increase of the lingual cortical plate in the region of the primary mandibular right lataeral incisor which showed prolonged retention. Radiographically a well-defined, unilocular, radiolucent lesion was present surrounding the bud of the permanant mandibular right lateral incisor. The lesion appeared to be causing root resportion of the primary lateral incisor and canine. The working diagnosis was a dentigerous cyst. Treatment included extraction of the primary mandibular right lateral incisor and primary canine as well as total enucleation of the cyst due to the small size. Stitches were placed and removed seven days later and seven months later eruptive movements of the permanent right lateral incisor was present along with new bone neoformation was visible in the area.

Summary of conclusions/Assessment: Dentigerous cysts are benign and asymptomatic. Because they are common among cyst they should not be overlooked at the time of routine radiographic examination. Small cyst are most likely to undergo complete enucleation while larger cyst may require decompression for healing to take place.