Dentigerous cyst: clinical and radiographic characteristics and criteria for treatment planning

The dentigerous cyst is the second most frequent odontogenic cyst in jaws. They are always radiolucent and commonly unilocular. They are usually found in routine exams or when a permanent tooth does not erupt. The third molars followed by maxillary canines and occasionally supernumerary teeth and odontomas may be involved with the formation of the dentigerous cyst, but its etiology is not yet completely known. The dentigerous cyst occurs mainly in the first three decades of life, and its growth is slow and asymptomatic, however, it may reach considerable dimensions causing facial deformity, impaction and displacement of teeth and/or adjacent structures. Decompression, marsupialization and enucleation are the most frequent forms of treatment used, nevertheless, some important criteria must be considered for the treatment plan such as cyst size, age, proximity to anatomical structures and clinical importance of the tooth involved. Despite the clinical peculiarities of each case and the treatment method chosen, prognosis of these lesions is favorable.