Introduction
Dentigerous cyst is commonest developmental odontogenic cyst and has a incidence rate between 20% and 24% among all the jaw cysts.1 It is associated with the crowns of unerupted tooth or developing tooth bud, and is normally attached to the cervical margins of affected tooth. If the size of the cyst is larger than 2 cm in diameter then it may cause swelling, tooth mobility, tooth displacement and sensitivity.2 Although permanent third molars are generally associated with this cyst but association with mandibular incisors are rarely seen. Predilection for males are reported and generally occurred in second or third decade of life.3
Dentigerous cyst are of two types: developmental and inflammatory. Developmental type is derived from reduced enamel epithelium, by accumulation of fluid between reduced enamel epithelium and enamel. Inflammatory type is developed, as a result from periapical infection in its Predecessor deciduous tooth, which spread upto permanent tooth-bud.4 Dentigerous cysts are always associated with a missing tooth or failure of tooth eruption, and may be asymptomatic until they become enlarged enough.4
Case Report
A 28 year old male patient presented with painless swelling in mandibular right anterior region for last six months with a chief complaint of tooth present on lingual region. On general examination, patient was apparently well and did not give history of any systemic disease. On extra-oral examination, no deformity is seen. On intra-oral examination, Mandibular right lateral incisor was present lingually. On palpation, a swelling was felt in relation to this tooth (Figure 1 ).
We advised a panoramic radiograph, which revealed a single, unilocular, well-defined, radiolucent area enclosing the mandibular right lateral incisor (Figure 2).
CBCT was also performed for further evaluation of the content and the extent of the cyst and it showed a well-defined, expansile, radiolucency noted in anterior mandible region, extending from the mesial aspect of #32 region, crossing the midline, upto the mesial aspect of #43 region mesio-distally, and from the crest of the alveolus in #42 region. The lesion was 19.3 mm in height x 16.6 mm in mesio-distal width x 14.8 mm in labio-lingual in dimensions.
The lesion appeared to be associated with a lingually impacted tooth like structure in relation to #42 region. Coronally this structure resembles the mandibular lateral incisior. Internally, it showed a radiolucent invagination, lined by enamel. Marked internal resorption and expansion of root was also noted (Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5).
On the basis of radiographic and clinical findings, a provisional diagnosis of inflammatory dentigerous cyst was made. So a surgical enucleation was planned and routine blood-investigations were advised. The results of routine blood examinations were normal.
The flap was raised and the cyst was enucleated together with the retained tooth #42. Haemostasis was achieved and sutures were given to approximate the defect (Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8, Figure 9). Analgesics and antibiotics were prescribed and asked the patient for monthly follow-up.
The specimen was sent for histopathological examination, which showed a cyst wall lined by densely inflammed connective tissue surrounded by skeletal muscle. The epithelium was completely eroded. The inflammatory cells consist of lymphocytes, plasma cells, occasional few foamy macrophages. Although no atypia was present.
Histo-pathological examinations confirmed the provisional diagnosis of –‘Inflammatory Dentigerous Cyst’.
Patient was recalled for regular follow-up and there was no recurrence observed after one year follow up.
Discussion
Dentigerous cyst accounts for more than 24% of jaw cysts and it is the most common developmental cyst of oral region. The dentigerous cyst occurs most commonly in second and third decade of life. Dentigerous cyst can be defined, which encloses the crown of an unerupted tooth and is attached at the cemento-enamel junction. Generally, impacted tooth may undergo dentigerous cyst transformation. So, in this case, the dentigerous cyst involving permanent lateral incisor is rare. The treatment options of a dentigerous cyst should be based on the size of the cyst, age of patient, location of the cyst, dentition affected, and relationship with the surrounding structures [Motamedi and Talesh, 2005].5 In this case, there are two treatment options: complete enucleation and marsupialization. Sometimes if dentigerous cysts left untreated, rarely but have potential to develop odontogenic tumor like ameloblastoma and malignancy like oral squamous cell carcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma. If these cysts are associated with anterior teeth, it may cause failure of tooth eruption resulting in esthetic and orthodontic problems. Regular follow-ups are still necessary to evaluate healing of the cyst.
Conclusion
Inflammatory dentigerous cysts can occur in conjunction with impacted posterior teeth as well as anterior teeth also. Considering complications of a dentigerous cyst, early diagnosis is essential to prevent extensive treatment. After treatment, patients should be instructed to follow regular visits and radiographic follow-ups.
