A Rare Presentation of Dentigerous Cyst

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Dentigerous cysts are benign, slow-growing odontogenic cysts of developmental origin.
• They predominantly affect adults (20-40 years), are more common in males, and typically occur in the mandible, often involving the third molar.
• Maxillary canine involvement is infrequent.

Observation:

• A rare case of a massive dentigerous cyst arising from an ectopically erupted maxillary canine in a pediatric female patient.
• The cyst caused painless expansion of the anterolateral wall of the left maxilla, leading to facial deformity.
• This presentation is unusual due to the patient's age, the cyst's location, and its ectopic origin.

Findings:

• Surgical management of this massive dentigerous cyst was successfully achieved using an endonasal endoscopic approach.
• This minimally invasive technique allowed for complete cyst removal while preserving surrounding structures.
• The case highlights the potential for dentigerous cysts to present atypically in pediatric patients.

Implications:

• The endonasal endoscopic approach offers a viable and effective surgical option for managing large dentigerous cysts in pediatric patients, particularly those in challenging locations.
• This case broadens the understanding of dentigerous cyst presentation and management in pediatric populations.
• Further research into minimally invasive techniques for odontogenic cyst management is warranted.