Cysts

Cysts are lesions which are characterised by a liquid-filled sac, which is covered by an internal, epithelial wall and external, connective shell. They develop following a degenerative mechanism which causes the activation of epithelial residues located in the jawbone. There exists a wide variety of clinical forms of cysts, which are differentiated by: etiopathogenesis, location, clinical practice, treatment approach and prognosis. Cysts do share some features. In the majority of cases, they present in initial stages as being totally asymptomatic: the overlying mucosa appear normal and the roots of the neighbouring teeth have not been so eroded by the lesion but slightly displaced. In more advanced cases, the progressive expansion of the cyst can cause a thinning or expansion of the cortical bone. This translates clinically with the disappearance of the swelling. Radiographically, cysts present as unicystic, radio-transparent areas with more or less rounded, clear borders and a typical, radiopaque, sclerotic brush border membrane. The treatment of first choice is the enucleation of the lesion and surgical curettage.