Decompression of dentigerous cyst in children: Report of cases

Hyun, Seung don; Jo, Wan suk; Choi, Seon hyu; Kim, Joong min; Jang, Hyon seok; Rim, Jae suk; Kwon, Jong jin

Abstract

Cysts of jaws may be treated in one of three ways: enucleation, marsupialization and decompression. The removal of extensive cystic lesions by surgical enucleation frequently causes postsurgical sequelae, such as devitalization of adjacent teeth, patient apprehension and discomfort, loss of bony support and paresthesia on occasion. By marsupialization, a large defect or depression usually remains in the bone after healing. An alternative approach, decompression is presented, whereby a rigid or a semirigid tube is inserted into the cystic cavity. The standard treatment for a dentigerous cyst is enucleation and extraction of the involved tooth. However, if the patient is young and the cyst is small, surgical exposure of the tooth and orthodontic traction usually results in disappearance of the cyst and preservation of the tooth. We report cases of dentigerous cysts in children treated by decompression with a review of the literature on the subject.