Overview: Cysts of the Jaws

Cysts = pathological fluid filled cavities lined by epithelium
Cysts are the most common cause of chronic swellings of the jaws
Cysts are more common in jaws than any other bone
- ∵ of many rests of odontogenic epithelium remaining in the tissues
- Cysts formed from this epithelium = odontogenic cysts and they account for most cysts in the jaws

Typical Features of Jaw CystsEdit

Most jaw cysts behave similarly
Grow slowly and expansively
Differ mainly in relationship to teeth and radiographic features
- In most cases, nature of cyst does not affect treatment
- However it is particularly important to distinguish odontogenic keratocysts and unicystic ameloblastomas from other common cysts
  - These occasionally have identical radiographic appearances and diagnosis depends on histopathology
Key features of jaw cysts
- Sharply defined radiolucencies with smooth borders
- Fluid may be aspirated and thin walled cysts may be transilluminated
- Grow slowly, displacing rather than resorbing teeth
- Symptomless, unless infected and are frequently chance radiographic findings
- Rarely large enough to cause pathologic fracture
- Form comprehensible and fluctuant swellings if extended into soft tissues
- Appear bluish when close to the mucosal surface
Odontogenic cysts affect the tooth bearing regions of the jaws
Most non-odontogenic cysts are developmental and form in the anterior maxilla