Surgical management of jaw cysts: clinical insights and case report

Jaw cysts are a common, yet diverse group of lesions often detected incidentally during routine dental examinations. While many cysts remain asymptomatic, larger, or aggressive, cysts can lead to significant complications, including tooth displacement, jaw fractures and nerve damage. This article reviews the pathophysiology, classification and management of jaw cysts, focusing on odontogenic cysts, which account for most cases presenting to oral and maxillofacial surgery. Various surgical techniques exist, including enucleation, marsupialisation, decompression, and en bloc resection, each with advantages, limitations, and indications based on cyst size, location, and recurrence risk. We present a case study illustrating a successful outcome using a two-staged treatment approach for a large dentigerous cyst. Selecting the appropriate management strategy requires careful consideration of lesion characteristics, patient factors, and recurrence risk, with the goal of minimising morbidity and optimising patient recovery and long-term outcomes.