Dental Cyst
A dental cyst is a pathological structure that can develop at the roots of teeth or in any region of the jawbone, forming outside of the normal structures. These cysts usually manifest with symptoms such as pain or swelling. If left untreated, dental cysts can lead to serious health problems. This condition, which cannot be cured with medication, requires surgical intervention. Therefore, it is essential that the cyst be surgically removed from its location by oral surgeons.
Failure to detect and remove dental cysts in time can cause serious deformations and structural deterioration in the jawbone. Cysts that remain in the jaw for a long time can cause damage to the surrounding tissues and cause more complex treatment processes. Therefore, it is very important to perform a surgical procedure as soon as possible when the tooth cyst is diagnosed.
After the surgical procedure, monitoring the healing process is also of great importance. With regular check-ups, the bone loss caused by the cyst and the healing process can be monitored more closely. In this way, early intervention can be made in case of any complications.
Some cysts can be quite large and can cause serious problems, up to the fracture of the jaw. For this reason, maxillofacial surgeons usually prefer to use volumetric tomography to detect bone loss caused by the cyst before the procedure. 3D tomography allows to determine the boundaries of the cyst very clearly and makes the surgical intervention safer. Thanks to this technology, a more precise approach can be taken during the procedure and the risk of complications is minimised.
As a result, early diagnosis and surgical intervention are of great importance in the treatment of dental cysts. Prevention of bone loss and deformations caused by the cyst is possible with correct diagnosis and treatment methods.
A tooth cyst is a pathological cavity, usually fluid-filled, that forms in or around the tooth root. It usually occurs as a result of infection, trauma or developmental anomalies. Dental cysts usually grow slowly and do not initially cause symptoms.
Tooth cysts may not give symptoms at the beginning. However, as they grow, the following symptoms may be observed:
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Swelling or tenderness in the gums
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Toothache or jaw pain
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Loosening or displacement of teeth
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Thinning or deformation of the jawbone
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Fistula formation or bad taste in the mouth
The causes of tooth cysts include the following:
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Infection or necrosis of the dental pulp
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Impacted teeth (especially wisdom teeth)
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Damage to tooth roots as a result of trauma
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Developmental abnormalities or genetic factors
Dental cysts are usually detected during routine dental x-rays. Imaging methods such as panoramic x-rays and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) are used for definitive diagnosis. If necessary, the type of cyst can be determined by biopsy.
Treatment depends on the size, location, and type of cyst. Common treatment methods are:
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Curettage: Surgical removal of the cyst
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Apical resection: Removal of the root tip of the cystic tooth and the cyst together
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Marsupialisation: Opening the cyst into the mouth to shrink large cysts
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Tooth extraction: Tooth with cyst may need to be extracted
Untreated dental cysts can grow over time and cause damage to the jawbone, tooth loss, infections and rarely tumour development from the cyst. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment is important.
There is usually mild pain, swelling and discomfort after the operation. These symptoms subside within a few days. Complete recovery depends on the size and location of the cyst, but usually takes several weeks.
Since local anaesthesia is applied during the operation, no pain is felt. There may be mild to moderate pain after the operation, but this can be controlled with prescribed painkillers.
Cysts that are not completely removed or treated may recur. Therefore, regular check-ups and additional treatments when necessary are important.
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Keeping the surgical site clean
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Regular use of medicines recommended by the doctor
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Avoiding hot and hard food
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Refraining from smoking and alcohol consumption
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Not neglecting regular check-ups
