Dental outcomes following treatment of pediatric odontogenic cysts: an 18-year retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND

This 18-year retrospective analysis of pediatric odontogenic cysts reviewed characteristics, treatment approaches, and associated risks, including root canal treatment (RCT) and tooth extraction.

METHODS

The clinical records of patients treated for odontogenic cysts between 2005 and 2023 included demographics, symptoms, radiographic findings, cyst size and location, histopathological diagnoses, treatment methods, and follow-up results were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, with significance set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Among the 97 patient records analyzed, there were 43 females (44%), and 54 males (56%) with a mean age of 13.32 ± 3.55. The histopathological diagnosis were dentigerous cysts (n = 58, 60%), followed by radicular cysts (n = 28, 29%) and odontogenic keratocysts (n = 9, 9%), mainly in the posterior mandible. Root canal treatment (RCT) was performed in 18% of the patients, and 72% underwent extraction of at least one permanent tooth. The need for RCT and extraction was higher in larger cysts significantly (p = 0.013). The recurrence rate was low, occurring in 3.1% of with two cases of dentigerous cysts and one odontogenic keratocyst recurring, with an average follow-up of 46 months.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that mandibular posterior cysts in the pediatric population often needed tooth extraction, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis by radiographic screening to prevent complications. There is a need for multi-center collaboration and national registries for development of protocols and uniform treatment guidelines in pediatric population.