Odontogenic cyst are a group of jaw cysts that are formed from tissues involved in

odontogenesis Tooth development or odontogenesis is the complex process by which teeth form from embryonic cells, grow, and erupt into the mouth. For human teeth to have a healthy oral environment, all parts of the tooth must develop during appropriate stage ...

(tooth development). Odontogenic cysts are closed sacs, and have a distinct

membrane A membrane is a selective barrier; it allows some things to pass through but stops others. Such things may be molecules, ions, or other small particles. Membranes can be generally classified into synthetic membranes and biological membranes. B ...

derived from rests of odontogenic epithelium. It may contain

air The atmosphere of Earth is the layer of gases, known collectively as air, retained by Earth's gravity that surrounds the planet and forms its planetary atmosphere. The atmosphere of Earth protects life on Earth by creating pressure allowing f ...

, fluids, or semi-solid material. Intra-bony

cyst A cyst is a closed sac, having a distinct envelope and cell division, division compared with the nearby Biological tissue, tissue. Hence, it is a cluster of Cell (biology), cells that have grouped together to form a sac (like the manner in which ...

s are most common in the

jaw The jaw is any opposable articulated structure at the entrance of the mouth, typically used for grasping and manipulating food. The term ''jaws'' is also broadly applied to the whole of the structures constituting the vault of the mouth and serv ...

s, because the

mandible In anatomy, the mandible, lower jaw or jawbone is the largest, strongest and lowest bone in the human facial skeleton. It forms the lower jaw and holds the lower tooth, teeth in place. The mandible sits beneath the maxilla. It is the only movabl ...

and

maxilla The maxilla (plural: ''maxillae'' ) in vertebrates is the upper fixed (not fixed in Neopterygii) bone of the jaw formed from the fusion of two maxillary bones. In humans, the upper jaw includes the hard palate in the front of the mouth. The t ...

are the only

bone A bone is a Stiffness, rigid Organ (biology), organ that constitutes part of the skeleton in most vertebrate animals. Bones protect the various other organs of the body, produce red blood cell, red and white blood cells, store minerals, provid ...

s with epithelial components. That odontogenic epithelium is critical in normal

tooth A tooth ( : teeth) is a hard, calcified structure found in the jaws (or mouths) of many vertebrates and used to break down food. Some animals, particularly carnivores and omnivores, also use teeth to help with capturing or wounding prey, tear ...

development Development or developing may refer to: Arts *Development hell, when a project is stuck in development *Filmmaking, development phase, including finance and budgeting *Development (music), the process thematic material is reshaped *Photographi ...

. However, epithelial rests may be the origin for the cyst lining later. Not all oral cysts are odontogenic cyst. For example,

mucous cyst of the oral mucosa Oral mucocele (also mucous extravasation cyst, mucous cyst of the oral mucosa, and mucous retention and extravasation phenomena.) is a condition caused by two related phenomena - mucus extravasation phenomenon and mucous retention cyst. Mucous e ...

and nasolabial duct cyst are not of odontogenic origin.
In addition, there are several conditions with so-called (

radiographic Radiography is an imaging technique using X-rays, gamma rays, or similar ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation to view the internal form of an object. Applications of radiography include medical radiography ("diagnostic" and "therapeut ...

) '

pseudocyst Pseudocysts are like cysts, but lack epithelial or endothelial cells. Initial management consists of general supportive care. Symptoms and complications caused by pseudocysts require surgery. Computed tomography (CT) scans are used for initial ima ...

ic appearance' in jaws; ranging from

anatomic variant An anatomical variation, anatomical variant, or anatomical variability is a presentation of body structure with morphological features different from those that are typically described in the majority of individuals. Anatomical variations are categ ...

s such as Stafne static bone cyst, to the aggressive

aneurysmal bone cyst Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a non-cancerous bone tumor composed of multiple varying sizes of spaces in a bone which are filled with blood. The term is a misnomer, as the lesion is neither an aneurysm nor a cyst. It generally presents with pai ...

Classification

*I. Cysts of the jaws **A. Epithelial-lined cysts ***1. Developmental origin ****(a) Odontogenic *****i. Gingival cyst of infants *****ii.

Odontogenic keratocyst An odontogenic keratocyst is a rare and benign but locally aggressive developmental cyst. It most often affects the posterior mandible and most commonly presents in the third decade of life. Odontogenic keratocysts make up around 19% of jaw cysts. ...

*****iii.

Dentigerous cyst Dentigerous cyst, also known as follicular cyst is an epithelial-lined developmental cyst formed by accumulation of fluid between the reduced enamel epithelium and crown of an unerupted tooth. It is formed when there is an alteration in the reduc ...

*****iv. Eruption cyst *****v. Gingival cyst of adults *****vi. Developmental lateral periodontal cyst *****vii. Botryoid odontogenic cyst *****viii. Glandular odontogenic cyst *****ix.

Calcifying odontogenic cyst Calcifying odotogenic cyst (COC) is a rare developmental lesion that comes from odontogenic epithelium. It is also known as a calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor, which is a proliferation of odontogenic epithelium and scattered nest of ghost cel ...

****(b) Non-odontogenic *****i. Midpalatal raphé cyst of infants *****ii. Nasopalatine duct cyst *****iii.

Nasolabial cyst This nasolabial cyst, also known as a nasoalveolar cyst, is located superficially in the soft tissues of the upper lip. Unlike most of the other developmental cysts, the nasolabial cyst is an example of an extraosseous cyst, one that occurs outsi ...

***2. Inflammatory origin ****i. Radicular cyst, apical and lateral ****ii. Residual cyst ****iii. Paradental cyst and juvenile paradental cyst ****iv. Inflammatory collateral cyst **B. Non-epithelial-lined cysts ***1. Solitary bone cyst ***2.

Aneurysmal bone cyst Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a non-cancerous bone tumor composed of multiple varying sizes of spaces in a bone which are filled with blood. The term is a misnomer, as the lesion is neither an aneurysm nor a cyst. It generally presents with pai ...

*II. Cysts associated with the maxillary antrum **1.

Mucocele A mucocele is a distension of a hollow organ or cavity because of mucus buildup. By location Oral Oral mucocele is the most common benign lesion of the salivary glands generally conceded to be of traumatic origin. It is characterized by the pool ...

**2. Retention cyst **3. Pseudocyst **4. Postoperative maxillary cyst *III. Cysts of the soft tissues of the mouth, face and neck **1.

Dermoid A dermoid cyst is a teratoma of a cystic nature that contains an array of developmentally mature, solid tissues. It frequently consists of skin, hair follicles, and sweat glands, while other commonly found components include clumps of long hair, ...

and

epidermoid cyst An epidermoid cyst or epidermal inclusion cyst is a benign cyst usually found on the skin. The cyst develops out of ectodermal tissue. Histologically, it is made of a thin layer of squamous epithelium. Signs and symptoms The epidermoid cyst may ...

s **2. Lymphoepithelial (branchial) cyst **3.

Thyroglossal duct cyst A thyroglossal cyst is a fibrous cyst that forms from a persistent thyroglossal duct. Thyroglossal cysts can be defined as an irregular neck mass or a lump which develops from cells and tissues left over after the formation of the thyroid gland d ...

**4. Anterior median lingual cyst (intralingual cyst of foregut origin) **5. Oral cysts with gastric or intestinal epithelium (oral alimentary tract cyst) **6.

Cystic hygroma A cystic hygroma is an abnormal growth that usually appears on a baby's neck or head. It consists of one or more cysts and tends to grow larger over time. The disorder usually develops while the fetus is still in the uterus, but can also appear a ...

**7.

Nasopharyngeal cyst Nasopharyngeal cyst refers to cystic swelling arising from midline and lateral wall of the nasopharynx. The commonest cyst arising from lateral wall is the nasopharyngeal branchial cyst, whereas the mucus retention cysts are the commonest to aris ...

**8. Thymic cyst **9. Cysts of the salivary glands: mucous extravasation cyst; mucous retention cyst; ranula; polycystic (dysgenetic) disease of the parotid **10. Parasitic cysts: hydatid cyst; Cysticercus cellulosae; trichinosis *

Buccal bifurcation cyst Buccal bifurcation cyst is an inflammation, inflammatory odontogenic cyst, of the paradental cysts family, that typically appears in the Cheek, buccal bifurcation region of the human mandible, mandibular first molar (tooth), molars in the second ...

(associated with the crowns of non-erupted teeth) * Glandular odontogenic cyst *

Keratocyst A keratocyst is a type of cutaneous cyst. They appear similar to epidermoid cysts; however, are not limited to a specified location on the body. Keratocyst are most often reported in persons with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome Nevoid basal-ce ...

(in the jaws, these can appear solitary or associated with the Gorlin-Goltz or

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome Nevoid basal-cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) is an inherited medical condition involving defects within multiple body systems such as the skin, nervous system, eyes, endocrine system, and bones. People with this syndrome are particularly prone to ...

. *

Paradental cyst Paradental cysts constitute a family of inflammatory odontogenic cyst, that typically appear in relation to crown or root of partially erupted molar tooth. When the cyst is developed in the distal region of partially erupted third molar or in ...

Periapical cyst Commonly known as a dental cyst, the periapical cyst is the most common odontogenic cyst. It may develop rapidly from a periapical granuloma, as a consequence of untreated chronic periapical periodontitis. Periapical is defined as "the tissues su ...

(The periapical cyst, otherwise known as radicular cyst, is the most common odontogenic cyst.) *

Radicular cyst Radicular pain, or radiculitis, is pain "radiated" along the dermatome (sensory distribution) of a nerve due to inflammation or other irritation of the nerve root (radiculopathy) at its connection to the spinal column. A common form of radiculiti ...

(associated with the roots of non-vital teeth, also known as

) * Residual cyst

Cystic neoplasm

Most cysts in the body are

benign Malignancy () is the tendency of a medical condition to become progressively worse. Malignancy is most familiar as a characterization of cancer. A ''malignant'' tumor contrasts with a non-cancerous benign tumor, ''benign'' tumor in that a malign ...

(

dysfunctional Abnormality (or dysfunctional behavior) is a behavioral characteristic assigned to those with conditions that are regarded as rare or dysfunctional. Behavior is considered to be abnormal when it is atypical or out of the ordinary, consists of un ...

) tumors, the result of plugged ducts or other natural body outlets for secretions. However, sometimes these masses are considered

neoplasm A neoplasm () is a type of abnormal and excessive growth of tissue. The process that occurs to form or produce a neoplasm is called neoplasia. The growth of a neoplasm is uncoordinated with that of the normal surrounding tissue, and persists ...

: *

** According to the current (2005) classification of the World Health Organization, both (parakeratizied) odontogenic keratocyst and calcifying odontogenic cyst have neoplastic characteristics, thus renamed as Keratocystic odontogenic tumor and Calcifying odontogenic tumor, respectively. * Cystic

ameloblastoma Ameloblastoma is a rare, benign or cancerous tumor of odontogenic epithelium (ameloblasts, or outside portion, of the teeth during development) much more commonly appearing in the lower jaw than the upper jaw. It was recognized in 1827 by Cusack. ...

* Long standing

dentigerous cyst Dentigerous cyst, also known as follicular cyst is an epithelial-lined developmental cyst formed by accumulation of fluid between the reduced enamel epithelium and crown of an unerupted tooth. It is formed when there is an alteration in the reduc ...

, odontogenic keratocyst, and residual cyst may have neoplastic potential converting into the locally aggressive

, or the

malignant Malignancy () is the tendency of a medical condition to become progressively worse. Malignancy is most familiar as a characterization of cancer. A ''malignant'' tumor contrasts with a non-cancerous ''benign'' tumor in that a malignancy is not s ...

squamous cell carcinoma Squamous-cell carcinomas (SCCs), also known as epidermoid carcinomas, comprise a number of different types of cancer that begin in squamous cells. These cells form on the surface of the skin, on the lining of hollow organs in the body, and on the ...

and

mucoepidermoid carcinoma Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common type of minor salivary gland malignancy in adults. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma can also be found in other organs, such as bronchi, lacrimal sac, and thyroid gland. Mucicarmine staining is one stain us ...

Diagnosis

Histopathology of cholesterol clefts of a periapical cyst of the jaw

histopathology Histopathology (compound of three Greek words: ''histos'' "tissue", πάθος ''pathos'' "suffering", and -λογία '' -logia'' "study of") refers to the microscopic examination of tissue in order to study the manifestations of disease. Spe ...

, cholesterol clefts indicate mainly a periapical (radicular) cyst Topic Completed: 1 March 2014. Revised: 13 December 2019 or an inflamed dentigerous cyst. Topic Completed: 1 October 2013. Revised: 2 December 2019

Treatment

Treatment ranges from simple enucleation of the cyst to

curettage Curettage ( or ), in medical procedures, is the use of a curette (French, meaning scoopMosby's Medical, Nursing & Allied Health Dictionary, Fourth Edition, Mosby-Year Book 1994, p. 422) to remove tissue by scraping or scooping. Curettages are ...

to resection. For example, small

radicular cyst Radicular pain, or radiculitis, is pain "radiated" along the dermatome (sensory distribution) of a nerve due to inflammation or other irritation of the nerve root (radiculopathy) at its connection to the spinal column. A common form of radiculiti ...

may resolved after successful

endodontic Endodontics (from the Greek roots ''endo-'' "inside" and ''odont-'' "tooth") is the dental specialty concerned with the study and treatment of the dental pulp. Overview Endodontics encompasses the study (practice) of the basic and clinical ...

("root-canal") treatment. Because of high recurrence potential and aggressive behaviour, curettage is recommended for keratocyst. However, the conservative enucleation is the treatment of choice for most odontogenic cysts. The removed cyst must be evaluated by

pathologist Pathology is the study of the causal, causes and effects of disease or injury. The word ''pathology'' also refers to the study of disease in general, incorporating a wide range of biology research fields and medical practices. However, when us ...

to confirm the

diagnosis Diagnosis is the identification of the nature and cause of a certain phenomenon. Diagnosis is used in many different disciplines, with variations in the use of logic, analytics, and experience, to determine " cause and effect". In systems engin ...

, and to rule out other neoplastic lesions with similar clinical or radiographic features (e.g., cystic or solid

, central

). There are cysts, e.g.

buccal bifurcation cyst Buccal bifurcation cyst is an inflammation, inflammatory odontogenic cyst, of the paradental cysts family, that typically appears in the Cheek, buccal bifurcation region of the human mandible, mandibular first molar (tooth), molars in the second ...

with self-resolation nature, in which close observation can be employed unless the cyst is infected and

symptomatic Signs and symptoms are the observed or detectable signs, and experienced symptoms of an illness, injury, or condition. A sign for example may be a higher or lower temperature than normal, raised or lowered blood pressure or an abnormality showin ...

References

{{Cystic diseases Cysts of the oral and maxillofacial region

Classification

Cystic neoplasm

Diagnosis

Treatment

See also

References