Decortication and bone replacement technique for the treatment of a large mandibular cyst.

A large odontogenic keratocyst associated with an impacted canine and an odontoma, has been reported. The surgical technique described may be helpful in treating other benign pathologic lesions. It provides access to medullary bone for biopsy and to the tooth buds and the neurovascular bundles for repositioning procedures. Support of the vestibular flap and early osseous repair are clinically evident. Early detection and treatment of disease in this patient would have prevented extensive bone destruction and thus eliminated the need for this type of surgical technique.