DENTAL CYST
Syndrome: Periapical or radicular cyst or periodontal cyst.
Characteristics:
a) Commonest cyst of the alveolus.
b) Unilocular cyst arising in connection with normally erupted but chronically infected and decayed or pulpless tooth.
Aetiology:
It is Benign in nature.
Gross pathology:
a) Unilocular cyst with the apex of related tooth attached to outer wall of cyst.
b) Lining of the cysts: Stratified squamous epithelium.
c) Content: Usually sterile on culture with cholesterol crystals.
Clinical features:
- Predominantly adults.
- Slowly and painlessly enlarging swelling over a long period.
- Site: Common in upper incisors, canine and premolar region.
- Can give rise to localized expansion of jaw.
- Egg shell crackling in advanced stage.
- Associated with caries tooth.
- Cyst of upper jaw tend to extend to maxillary sinus and inferior meatus and may present with nasal discharge.
Radiological feature:
- Unilocular oval or circular radiolucent area in relation to the root of tooth.
- Translucent area may have a thin rim of sclerosed bone.
Treatment:
Surgical: Total excision of the cyst is done by intraoral approach. A transverse incision is made over the mucoperiosteum at the maximum point of concavity. Membrane in the epithelial lining as a whole should be scooped out together with the related tooth. No pathological membrane must be left behind as it has ameloblastomatous potential.