Lateral periodontal cysts. Clinical, radiographical and histopathological findings

21 lesions, clinically and radiographically diagnosed as lateral periodontal cysts (LPC), were retrospectively studied. The majority of the lesions were symptomless and were located in the premolar-canine-incisor region and predominantly in the mandible. 15 cases had the typical lining consistent with the diagnosis LPC. Three lesions were odontogenic keratocysts and 3 were inflammatory cysts. It was concluded that cysts in a lateral periodontal position are usually LPC but the diagnoses of keratocyst and inflammatory cyst must be considered.