Comprehensive Review on Cyst of the Jaws

Odontogenic cysts are common to the jaws. The 1992 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of odontogenic cysts is widely recognized and categorizes them as developmental or inflammatory in nature. Most commonly encountered cysts are radicular cysts of inflammatory origin or dentigerous cysts. Other cysts are less frequently encountered and may present diagnostic difficulties because of their varied features. These lesions generally show slow and expansive growth and are associated in some cases with marked bone destruction and recurrence. Now days, it is seen that odontogenic cysts are commonly reported in the adult age group, and they can be detected early through routine oral examination at general dental offices. Odontogenic cysts may be either symptomatic or asymptomatic and are identified during routine radiographic investigation. They arise as a result of inflammatory or developmental pathogenic causes associated with epithelium of tooth-forming apparatus. The most frequently occurring odontogenic cysts are periapical cysts (PCs), dentigerous cysts, residual cysts, and odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs).