Odontogenic Lesions and Tumor Management

Odontogenic lesions encompass a spectrum of cystic and neoplastic conditions arising from tooth-forming tissues. These include benign entities such as radicular and dentigerous cysts, locally aggressive keratocystic odontogenic tumours, and true neoplasms like ameloblastoma. Clinical presentation ranges from incidental radiolucent findings on panoramic radiographs to pain, swelling and jaw deformity when lesions expand. Management strategies have evolved from radical excision towards tissue-preserving tactics combining decompression, marsupialisation and enucleation, often supplemented by adjuvant agents or peripheral ostectomy to minimise recurrence. Advanced imaging modalities, such as cone-beam CT and diffusion-weighted MRI, now refine preoperative assessment and distinguish between cystic and solid components. Meanwhile, molecular characterisation and computer-aided pathology are informing risk stratification, guiding personalised treatment pathways. Collectively, these advances support global efforts to balance effective lesion eradication with preservation of dental structures and patient quality of life.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have introduced a conservative surgical protocol aimed at preserving the vitality of teeth adjacent to jaw cysts. Over a 36-month follow-up of cases treated with this refined approach, practitioners observed maintenance of pulp function in the majority of involved teeth. Postoperative imaging confirmed gradual bone regeneration within the cyst cavity, and no lesion recurrences were reported. When discomfort or infection arose, targeted root canal therapy resolved symptoms without compromising the overall success of the conservative method. This work underscores the viability of organ-preserving surgery in odontogenic cyst management, shifting the paradigm away from routine extraction or aggressive resection.

Odontogenic Lesions and Tumor Management publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in odontogenic lesions and tumor management across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Odontogenic cyst: A fluid-filled cavity in jaw bone arising from tooth-forming epithelium.

Keratocystic odontogenic tumour (KCOT): A cystic lesion with aggressive growth potential and high recurrence rate, previously classified as a benign tumour.

Enucleation: Surgical removal of a lesion in its entirety, often followed by peripheral ostectomy.

Marsupialisation: Creation of a continuous opening between a cyst cavity and the oral cavity to reduce internal pressure and promote shrinkage.

Decompression: Placement of a drain or stent to relieve fluid pressure within a cyst, facilitating bone regeneration and lesion reduction.

Diffusion-weighted MRI: An imaging technique that measures water molecule movement to differentiate cystic from solid tissue components.

References

1. In Silico Analysis of Genes Associated with the Pathogenesis of Odontogenic Keratocyst. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
2. A 3-year follow-up clinical study on the preservation for vitality of involved tooth in jaw cysts through an innovative method. Scientific Reports (2024).
3. Development of Automated Risk Stratification for Sporadic Odontogenic Keratocyst Whole Slide Images with an Attention-Based Image Sequence Analyzer. Diagnostics (2023).
4. Diffusion-Weighted MR Imaging of Ameloblastomas and Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumors: Differentiation by Apparent Diffusion Coefficients of Cystic Lesions. American Journal of Neuroradiology (2008).
5. Factors influencing an eruption of teeth associated with a dentigerous cyst: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Oral Health (2021).