ISSN: 2456-8090 (online)                                                                                                    

DOI: 10.26440/IHRJ/0302.05.521077

 

Dentigerous Cyst: A Review of Literature

 

SAURABH BHARDWAJ1, MEHAK ANAND*2, GAZALLA ALTAF3, SAKSHI KATARIA4

 

Cite this article as:

Bhardwaj S, Anand M, Altaf G, Kataria S.  Dentigerous Cyst: A Review of Literature. Int Healthc Res J. 2019;3(2):56-58. doi: 10.26440/IHRJ/0302.05.521077

 

Author Affiliations:

  1. PG Student, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Santosh Dental College, Ghaziabad U.P., India
  2. PG Student, Department of Paedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana, India
  3. PG Student, Department of Paedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana, India
  4. Senior lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana, India

 

Corresponding Author and mailing address:

Dr. Mehak Anand

Gg/2 Block, H. No 68C

Vikas Puri, New Delhi

110018

 

 ABSTRACT

A dentigerous cyst is a developmental cyst of odontogenic origin which develops around the fully-formed crown of an unerupted tooth. The significance of keratinization in odontogenic cysts is not fully known, but keratinization is the final product of epithelial cell differentiation. However, dentigerous cysts, thought to arise from reduced enamel epithelium, are products of end cells, i.e. cells that have completed synthesis (enamel formation). It is possible that the dentigerous cyst is a primordial variant, arising from more primitive cells of the developing enamel organ.

KEYWORDS: Dentigerous Cyst, Odontogenic Keratocyst, Enucleation, Marsupialization

 

INTRODUCTION

In 1962, for the first time, Gorlin and co-workers coined the term Odontogenic cysts. As per documented literature, it is considered to be the second most common (15%) true cyst of epithelial origin found  in the jaw. This particular cyst develops when a follicle separates from the crown of a developing tooth with fluid accumulation between the reduced enamel epithelium and tooth crown which forms a cystic cavity surrounding the crown of an unerupted tooth at the cemento-enamel junction.  Henceforth, it is also known as follicular cyst.1-4 Dentigerous cyst is not keratinized but when keratinisation is present in the dentigerous cyst, it is known as Keratinizing Dentigerous cyst. Orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst (OOC) has specific histopathological features and clinical behaviour. Histogenesis may be from the remnants of the dental lamina or from the basal cell layer of the oral mucosal epithelium.5

Cortical expansion occurs, when the cysts enlarges in size and clinically manifested as a swelling, along with pain, though in maximum cases, it can be detected incidentally during a routine radiograph examination.6 It is a rare entity and has been reported in the world literature only three times to the best of my knowledge. Hence, it is suggested that before making final diagnosis of the cyst by histopathological examination which is utmost important and valuable diagnostic tool, we must evaluate the clinical and radiological examinations carefully and the differential diagnosis of the lesion must  be taken  into  great  consideration  as  this cyst may mimic many alarming life threatening conditions (Figure 1).7,8

 

DISCUSSION

Odontogenic cyst is most commonly found in the 10-30 years age group and may remain symptomatic throughout life and in such particular cases, it is usually diagnosed incidentally on a radiograph. There is a certain possibility that the cyst may cause pathological fracture or get secondarily infected. There are also rare incidents of malignant transformation into squamous cell carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, or an ameloblastoma reported in literature.3

It   is  most  commonly    associated   with    crown   of permanent impacted tooth, and involvements of primary teeth are infrequent. In 1963 the terminology: keratinizing and calcifying odontogenic cysts were introduced by Gold. Dentigerous cyst has been defined as one “which is attached at the cement-enamel junction and encloses the crown of an unerupted tooth”.6

Dentigerous cyst is commonly seen 3rd & 4th decades of life. In 1956, a suggestion was put forward by Philipsen to name the term Odontogenic Keratocyst (OKC) for all Odontogenic cysts, regardless of their type and keratinization observed/seen in the  epithelium.

More recently, OKC has been defined by other characteristics of the epithelium which includes basal palisading, hyperchromatism of nuclei and cell thickness of the epithelium and not merely the presence of keratinisation alone.  Whereas, the term “keratinizing odontogenic cyst” was used for any cyst showing keratinisation, regardless of their type. The significance of keratinization in odontogenic cysts has not been fully explored.  The final cycle of epithelial cell differentiation results in Keratinization. As, dentigerous cysts have been thought to arise from reduced enamel epithelium [(i.e. cells that have completed synthesis (enamel formation)], there is a possibility that a dentigerous cyst is a primordial variant; arising from more primitive cells of the developing enamel organ.9-11

TREATMENT

The management is guided by  the age of the patient, location and extension of the cyst. The authors have proposed  various treatment modalities. The surgical procedures routinely employed are marsupialisation or enucleation.

The modified techniques for the treatment of OKC include a combination of  the use of Carnoy’s solution following enucleation, and bone grafts to fill the cystic cavity. As, the recurrence rate of dentigerous cyst is very low as compared to other cysts,1 cysts that are smaller in size and close to the osteomeatal complex can be removed endosopically. For ohers especially those with lateral and posterior extensions, a Caldwell-Lucor approach is recommended. The large  residual  bony  cavities  may be obliterated with bone grafts.3

CONCLUSION

Dentigerous cyst is most commonly associated with impacted tooth of the jaw i.e. 3rd molars followed by maxillary canine, encircling the neck of crown of impacted tooth. OKC should also be considered as it has similar features to those of both dentigerous cyst and AOT.

Keratinizing dentigerous cyst is an unusual histological variant of odontogenic cyst and very rarely arises from supernumerary tooth. To the best of our knowledge, it has been cited thrice in the dental literature i.e. 1971, 2014 & 2016. As very less information is available, the present review was attempted to add to the existing information. As it has high chances of malignant transformation, early diagnosis  and  intervention  is  utmost  priority while managing them. Therefore, accurate interpretations of keratinizing odontogenic cysts are fallacious as it gives rise to erroneous radiographic picture which may also mimic other non-keratinizing odontogenic cysts. Hence, careful clinical, histopathological and radiological correlation along with molecular and immunohistochemical analysis is needed for its final diagnosis and proper treatment planning.

REFRENCES

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  2. Oliveira LS, Souza DO, Neves FS, Dos Santos JN, Campos PS, Crusoé-Rebello I. Uncommon dentigerous cyst related to a maxillary lateral incisor in a 03-year-old boy. Oral and maxillofacial surgery. 2012;16(4):383-8.
  3. Di Pasquale P, Shermetaro C. Endoscopic removal of a dentigerous cyst producing unilateral maxillary sinus opacification on computed tomography. ENT: Ear, Nose & Throat Journal. 2006;85(11):747-8.
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  5. Sivasankar V, Ranganathan K, Praveen B. Keratinizing dentigerous cyst. Contemporary clinical dentistry. 2014;5(1):127.
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