Jaw cysts are pathological cavities filled with fluid or semi-fluid substance that develop in the jaw bone or around the teeth.
In many cases, cysts develop slowly and in the initial stages may progress without pronounced symptoms. Often they are discovered incidentally when performing an X-ray or other imaging examination of the jaws.
However, as the size of the cyst increases, various complaints can occur, also associated with pressure on the surrounding structures.
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How jaw cysts form
The reasons for the formation of cysts in the jaw bones can be different. Most often, they are associated with inflammatory processes around the teeth or with disorders in the development of bone or tooth structures.
Cysts can occur:
- around the root of an infected or damaged tooth
- around unerupted or retained teeth
- as a result of chronic inflammatory processes
- as part of disorders in the development of dental tissues
Symptoms of jaw cysts
In the initial stages, cysts often proceed without symptoms. As their size increases, they may appear:
- swelling of the jaw or face
- pain or feeling of pressure
- dislocation of adjacent teeth
- tingling in the lip or chin area
- inflammation of the surrounding tissues
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In some cases, the cyst can lead to weakening of the jaw bone and an increased risk of fracture.
Types of jaw cysts
There are different types of cysts in the maxillofacial region. Among the more common are:
- radicular wrists -associated with inflammation around the tooth root
- follicular (dentigerose) cysts -develop around an unerupted tooth
- residual cysts -may remain after tooth or cyst removal
- Bone brushes at the seams of the fusion -derive from retained epithelial cells at the completion of bone fusion in intrauterine development
Determining the exact type of cyst requires clinical examination and imaging.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of jaw cysts usually includes:
- clinical examination
- panoramic radiography
- computed tomography (CT)
- cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)
These examinations make it possible to determine the exact size and location of the cyst and plan the appropriate treatment.
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Treatment of jaw cysts
The main method of treatment for jaw cysts is surgical removal. It is most often applied after a thorough evaluation of the teeth present in the area and, if necessary, preoperative treatment and filling of the root canals of the affected teeth, Depending on the size and location of the cyst, treatment may include:
- complete or partial surgical removal of the cyst
- removal of the affected tooth if necessary or reduction of its root
- treatment of the bone cavity
- recovery tracking
After surgical treatment, the tissue usually recovers gradually, with the bone regenerating over an average 4-6 month period, with individual differences in timing.
Importance of early detection
Early diagnosis of cysts allows easier treatment and reduces the risk of complications. Therefore, regular dental examinations and imaging tests play an important role in detecting such conditions.
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Author:
Bulgarian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery