What Is A Dentigerous Cyst?

A dentigerous cyst is a smooth, round sack of clear fluid that slowly develops in the gums where an adult tooth is coming in. The Mayo Clinic says that they're the most common cyst to impact the jaw, and they're mostly found on the lower jaw (mandible) around wisdom teeth, but they can form around other teeth. They are generally painless and usually benign (not harmful); however, they can cause damage if they continue growing. According to the American Dental Association, cysts could harm "the roots of nearby teeth or destroy the bone that supports your teeth."

Because these cysts grow slowly and are often near the back of your mouth, you probably wouldn't even know one is there until your dentist tells you about it. They could see it in a routine examination. If your dental professional is checking on your wisdom teeth coming in, they may use a radiograph (x-ray) and discover it, or an orthodontist may notice a dentigerous cyst during a consultation for braces or clear aligners.

These growths can get big enough that you would feel it, but that is rare. If you have a larger cyst, it could impact the teeth on either side of the growth, adversely affecting the roots of those teeth and potentially even moving those teeth out of position.

Your general dentist may be able to remove your cyst if they have special surgical training, but you'll likely be referred to an oral surgeon. Oral surgeons frequently encounter many types of cysts while removing wisdom teeth.

First, you'll receive a local anesthetic. Then your oral surgeon will likely remove the tooth and the cyst. If your cyst is small, your dental professional may be able to drain the cyst or remove the cyst by itself. For larger, more severe cysts, your surgeon may perform a bone graft if you've experienced bone loss.

Healing time can take anywhere from a week to a few months, depending on the severity and size of your cyst. It usually only requires one procedure, but you may have to return for post-surgical visits so the surgeon can check the healing progress.

Learn about the types of surgery and what to expect.

Now that you know more about your dentigerous cyst and what the process is like to remove it, we hope you feel that you'll be able to have an informed conversation with your dental professionals about the next steps. Dental professionals see this condition enough that you can feel confident they'll get your teeth back to a condition you can smile about.