PREVALENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF ODONTOGENIC CYSTS: A 12-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE STUDY.

Odontogenic cysts, generally classified as inflammatory or developmental, in dental practice are usually identified incidentally, on routine exams and constitute an important aspect of oral and maxillofacial pathology. A few literature sources provide epidemiological data on odontogenic cysts and tumors. However, these findings may help us to better understand such lesions and improve the diagnosis of odontogenic cysts and tumors. The variability of data obtained with other studies can be attributed to various sociodemographic factors. This study was performed to evaluate the prevalence and age, gender and site distribution of dentigerous cysts. The data presented in this article are the result of a retrospective study conducted at the at the Clinic and Polyclinic for Oral, Maxillofacial, and Facial Surgery Ludwig Maximilian University, Germany. Of the 392 odontogenic cysts studied, 130 were found to be dentigerous cysts. The following variables were analyzed: histological type, age, gender and anatomic location. The results of our study showed a similar frequency of odontogenic cysts as compared to other results with findings in the literature and populations of the world, with radicular cyst being identified as the most frequent odontogenic cyst. In our cohort, radicular cysts constituted 57.9%, the percentage of dentigerous cysts was 33.17%. The mandible (81.54%) was significantly more affected than the maxilla (16.15%), and the cysts were mostly located in the molar region (60.5%). Male patients were more affected by odontogenic cysts, constituting 66.07% compared to females at 33.93%. All histologically confirmed radicular cyst, dentigerous cyst, eruption cyst, residual cyst, and lateral periodontal cyst are identified in our patients by using different criteria. Cases were evaluated based on cyst gender, age and site distribution. Radicular cysts and dentigerous cysts were more frequently diagnosed but residual cyst, eruption cyst, and lateral periodontal cyst occurred much less frequently. Our results essentially confirmed the data of previously published studies. A significant association between dentigerous cyst prevalence and patient gender was identified. In pediatric patients, dentigerous cysts were often more frequent in girls than in boys. Significantly statistic relationship was found between this cyst frequency and age.