Developmental Odontogenic Cyst

An eruption cyst can appear as bluish, swollen tissue over an emerging primary or permanent tooth. Other cysts may cause pain, infection, tooth movement or swelling.

These cysts arise from remnants involved in tooth development. A dentigerous cyst is associated with an unerupted tooth, while eruption cysts occur as primary or permanent teeth emerge.

A lesion can be quiet while it expands within alveolar bone. Later findings can include delayed eruption, tooth displacement, swelling, pain, trismus, altered sensation or infection.

Dentigerous cysts are most often associated with third molars and maxillary canines and occur more often in the first and second decades of life. Eruption cysts occur in infants and children during tooth eruption.

Radiographs show a cyst as a well-defined radiolucent area and establish its relationship with nearby teeth. Similar appearances can occur with aggressive jaw tumours, so a biopsy may be needed for a definite diagnosis.

Eruption cysts are often self-limiting and usually have no complications. A dentigerous cyst can be treated by removing the impacted tooth and taking a biopsy; surgical removal commonly resolves the lesion.

Treatment can include diagnostic radiographs, biopsy, removal of the cyst and treatment of an impacted tooth. The steps required depend on the cyst's type and its relationship to the tooth.

Odontogenic keratocysts can expand in the jaw with little outward swelling. They may later cause swelling, pain, trismus, altered sensation or infection; large cysts can damage bone or adjacent teeth.

A developmental cyst cannot be prevented directly. Routine dental visits and radiographic assessment of delayed eruption can identify a lesion before it becomes larger.