Dental cysts are common oral lesions, appearing as closed cavities filled with fluid or semi-solid material within the jawbone or soft tissues of the mouth. Many people wonder if these growths can resolve on their own without intervention.
What is a Dental Cyst?
A dental cyst is a sac-like structure that forms in the oral cavity, often around the roots of teeth or developing teeth. These non-cancerous growths can become problematic as they enlarge. They can develop due to various factors, including severe tooth decay, incomplete healing of infections, or trauma to the mouth and teeth.
One common type is the radicular cyst, also known as a periapical cyst, which forms at the base of a tooth due to pulp infection or nerve death. Another type is the dentigerous cyst, or follicular cyst, develops around the crown of an unerupted tooth, often wisdom teeth.
Do Dental Cysts Resolve on Their Own?
Dental cysts do not go away without professional intervention. They are physical sacs of fluid and tissue that continue to grow, unlike some infections that might clear up with antibiotics. While antibiotics might be used for very small cysts or to manage infection, they do not dissolve the cyst itself.
Leaving a dental cyst untreated carries several implications. As the cyst grows, it can exert pressure on surrounding bone tissue, potentially leading to bone loss and weakening of the jaw. This enlargement can also damage adjacent teeth, causing them to loosen or shift. An untreated cyst can become infected, leading to an abscess, or even grow into areas like the maxillary sinus or compress nerves.
Professional Treatment for Dental Cysts
The diagnostic process for dental cysts typically involves a clinical examination and imaging techniques like X-rays or CT scans to visualize the cyst’s size and location. Once diagnosed, the primary approach to treating dental cysts is surgical removal.
One common surgical procedure is enucleation, where the entire cyst is carefully removed. In some cases, if the cyst is large or involves specific structures, a procedure called marsupialization may be performed. This involves making an incision in the cyst to allow it to drain, then stitching the edges open to prevent it from refilling.
The removal procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia. The removed tissue is often sent for histological examination to confirm its nature and rule out any other conditions. Following surgical removal, follow-up appointments are important to monitor healing and detect any recurrence.