A retrospective study of cysts in the maxillofacial area

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of odontogenic cysts in the oral and maxillofacial area. The subjects of this study were diagnosed and treated for cysts in the jaw at Chonnam National University Hospital from January 2013 to December 2017. Patients’ information, including age, types and locations of cysts, history of bone grafting, and types of graft material used were recorded by reviewing medical records, clinical examinations, panoramic radiographs, dental computed tomography findings, and biopsy results. Among all 544 cases, the overall male (352, 64.7%) to female (192, 35.3%) ratio was 1.8:1. The age of the patients ranged from 6 to 87 years, with 103 (18.6%) in their 40s, 95 (17.1%) in their 20s-30s, and 90 (16.2%) in their 50s. In the histopathological distribution, the most common cyst type was a radicular cyst (47.6%), while dentigerous cyst (29.4%) was the second most prevalent. The occurrence of the cysts was highest in the posterior mandibular region (42.6%) and the anterior maxillary region (39.9%). Cyst enucleation was the most commonly used treatment option (55.6%), and autogenous bone was the most frequently used bone graft material. In this study, the prevalence of radicular cysts was higher than that of other types of cyst. The prevalence of cysts was higher in older patients than in younger age groups. Treatment of cysts is based on complete enucleation and requires bone grafting, as necessary.