A tooth cyst is a fluid-filled cavity forming at the root of a tooth or within the jawbone. It is usually asymptomatic for a long time — until it grows large or becomes inflamed.
Causes
- Chronic pulpitis and periodontitis — prolonged pulp infection
- Incomplete root canal treatment
- Tooth trauma — old impact or crack
- Improperly erupting wisdom tooth — "follicular cyst"
- Congenital dental anomalies
Symptoms
Cysts grow silently for a long time. Often found by chance on X-ray. Late-stage signs:
- Mild gum or jaw swelling
- Tooth sensitivity (hot/cold)
- Slight tooth mobility
- Bad breath
- If it spreads — facial swelling and fever
Types
- Radicular — most common, from pulpitis
- Follicular — around an unerupted tooth
- Residual — left after tooth extraction
- Keratocyst — more aggressive, prone to recurrence
Diagnosis
Panoramic X-ray for initial screening. 3D CBCT for precise size, shape and proximity to nerves and sinuses. Sometimes biopsy.
Treatment methods
- Root canal + retrograde filling — for small cysts
- Cystectomy — surgical removal preserving the tooth
- Cystotomy (marsupialization) — large cysts, staged removal
- Tooth extraction — if preservation is impossible
- Delayed implant — 3–6 months after healing
A cyst does not resolve on its own. Early diagnosis is the key to saving the tooth.
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