Clinico-radiological aspects of dentigerous cysts

The clinico-radiological features of 10 dentigerous cysts occurring in 6 patients are described. Dentigerous cysts are odontogenic cysts and may present directly as a painless jaw swelling or indirectly as an unerupted tooth. Radiologically, these cysts present as a pericoronal unilocular expansile translucencies the width of which exceeds 2.5 mm, with mandibular involvement predominating. Radiology plays an important role in detecting multiple cysts in a case presenting with a single cyst and also in detecting clinically asymptomic cysts in cases with delayed or non eruption of the teeth.