[Histomorphometry of dentigerous cysts in children, associated or not with formocresol]

Literature reports appeared in the last years suggested that some type of dentigerous cyst (DC) in children would initiate by teh action of other factors than developmental and at different stages of dental sac growth. Periodontitis and pulp therapy with formocresol (FC) have been suggested as aeteological factors, both promoting DC in children by irritation of the underlaying dental sacs of premolar. The purpose of this study is to analyse the pathological changes in DC of patients aged 0 to 15 years, and to compare the findings according to the anatomical site of DC and the existence of previous FC therapy. Morphological changes observed in the epithelium and the connective wall did not show clear differences between both groups of DC. The histometric measurements of epithelial changes did not show significant statistical differences of various parameters in the DC walls. These facts would not support the hypotesis of DC initiation from FC effects.