Odontogenic cysts: a retrospective study of 1227 cases in an Iranian population from 1987 to 2007

Odontogenic cysts constitute a major part of oral pathological lesions, but little is known about their distribution patterns in various populations. In this retrospective study, patient records from the archive of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology at the Faculty of Dentistry affiliated to the Tehran University of Medical Sciences were reviewed. Cases diagnosed as odontogenic cyst from 1987 to 2007 were selected and histopathologically re-evaluated to confirm the diagnosis. Patients' demographic information (age and sex) and location of the lesion were recorded and analyzed using descriptive statistics. From a total of 8529 files reviewed, the diagnosis of odontogenic cyst was confirmed in 1227 cases (14.4%). The overall male to female ratio was 1.33:1. The patients' age ranged from 3 to 84 years with a mean of 28 years. 49% of cysts were found in maxilla and 50.4% in mandible. Radicular cyst was the most common type followed by dentigerous cyst, odontogenic keratocyst, residual cyst and paradental cyst. Lateral periodontal cyst, eruption cyst, glandular odontogenic cyst and gingival cyst of adults were also reported. The distribution pattern of odontogenic cysts in Iran is relatively similar to that in other parts of the world. The importance of complete clinical reports for final diagnosis of these lesions and routine follow-up examinations is emphasized.