Dentigerous cyst
Dentigerous Cyst
A dentigerous cyst or follicular cyst is a type of odontogenic cyst associated with the crown of an unerupted or developing tooth. The cyst forms when the reduced enamel epithelium, a cellular structure involved in tooth development, becomes entrapped between the crown and the surrounding tissue. Dentigerous cysts are the second most common type of odontogenic cyst, after radicular cysts.
Etiology[edit | edit source]
The exact cause of dentigerous cysts is unknown, but they are thought to arise from the accumulation of fluid between the reduced enamel epithelium and the crown of an unerupted tooth. This can occur as a result of inflammation, trauma, or unknown reasons. Dentigerous cysts are most commonly associated with the third molars, or wisdom teeth, but can occur with any tooth that is unerupted or developing.
Clinical Features[edit | edit source]
Dentigerous cysts are often asymptomatic and are usually discovered during routine dental radiographs. When symptoms do occur, they can include pain, swelling, or a noticeable mass in the mouth. In some cases, the cyst can cause the displacement of the associated tooth or adjacent teeth.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
The diagnosis of a dentigerous cyst is usually made based on the clinical and radiographic features. On a dental radiograph, the cyst appears as a well-defined, radiolucent (dark) area surrounding the crown of an unerupted tooth. The diagnosis can be confirmed by histopathological examination of the cyst after surgical removal.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
The treatment for a dentigerous cyst is usually surgical removal of the cyst, along with the associated unerupted tooth. In some cases, the tooth may be left in place and the cyst is drained and treated with a procedure called marsupialization. Following treatment, regular follow-up is necessary to monitor for recurrence.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for dentigerous cysts is generally good, with a low rate of recurrence after treatment. However, in rare cases, dentigerous cysts can give rise to more serious conditions, such as ameloblastoma or squamous cell carcinoma.
See Also[edit | edit source]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
