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Updated: Nov 12, 2025

Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
Developmental Odontogenic Lesions Associated with the Crown of an Impacted Tooth: A Guide to the Distinct Histologic
1Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta Oral Pathology, Decatur, GA, 30033, USA. smullerdmd@gmail.com.
Abstract:
Odontogenic cysts are categorized as inflammatory and developmental. Of the developmental odontogenic cysts, the dentigerous cyst is the most common and by definition is attached to the cervical region of an unerupted tooth. The cyst envelops the crown forming a sac. However, there are other developmental cysts, and rarely, odontogenic tumors, that can have a similar clinical and radiographic presentation as dentigerous cyst, including odontogenic keratocyst, orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst and ameloblastoma, unicystic type. Understanding the key histologic differences of these cysts will aid the pathologist to correctly diagnose these lesions, ensuring appropriate clinical management.
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