Large buccal bifurcation cyst in a child: a case report and literature review

WHO defines the mandibular buccal bifurcation cyst as a cyst occurring near the cervical margin of the lateral aspect of a root as a consequence of inflammatory process in a periodontal pocket. The pathogenesis of these cysts is still debated, but they are most likely originated from reduced enamel epithelium or from inflammatory proliferation of epithelial cell rests of Malassez that come from the superficial mucosa of a tooth in eruption. The aim of this article was to describe a case of large buccal bifurcation cyst of a permanent mandibular first molar.

A 6-year-old boy was referred to Department of Oral Riabilitation of the Istituto Stomatologico Italiano, University of Milan, Italy, with the complaint of hard swelling over the buccal gingiva and a deep probing depth located on the buccal aspect. Radiograph revealed a well-defined semilunar-shaped radiolucency, marked by a fine radiopaque line on the buccal aspect of the partially-erupted lower right first molar and it was large enough to include a small part of the crown of the second right molar. As reported in the literature the treatment of choice is enucleation and curettage of the lesion without extraction of the vital involved tooth. This procedure has shown excellent results in both the short- and long-term. The definitive diagnosis of paradental cysts can be assessed by histopathologic analysis.