Odontogenic cyst are a group of jaw cysts that are formed from tissues involved in odontogenesis (tooth development). Odontogenic cysts are closed sacs, and have a distinct membrane derived from rests of odontogenic epithelium. It may contain air, fluids, or semi-solid material. Intra-bony cysts are most common in the jaws, because the mandible and maxilla are the only bones with epithelial components. That odontogenic epithelium is critical in normal tooth development. However, epithelial rests may be the origin for the cyst lining later.
Not all oral cysts are odontogenic cysts. For example, mucous cyst of the oral mucosa and nasolabial duct cyst are not of odontogenic origin.
In addition, there are several conditions with so-called (radiographic) 'pseudocystic appearance' in jaws; ranging from anatomic variants such as Stafne static bone cyst, to the aggressive aneurysmal bone cyst.
I. Cysts of the jaws
A. Epithelial-lined cysts
- Developmental origin
(a) Odontogenic
i. Gingival cyst of infants
ii. Odontogenic keratocyst
iii. Dentigerous cyst
iv. Eruption cyst
v. Gingival cyst of adults
vi. Developmental lateral periodontal cyst
vii. Botryoid odontogenic cyst
viii. Glandular odontogenic cyst
ix. Calcifying odontogenic cyst
(b) Non-odontogenic
i. Midpalatal raphé cyst of infants
ii. Nasopalatine duct cyst
iii. Nasolabial cyst
- Inflammatory origin
i. Radicular cyst, apical and lateral
ii. Residual cyst
iii. Paradental cyst and juvenile paradental cyst
iv. Inflammatory collateral cyst
B. Non-epithelial-lined cysts
- Solitary bone cyst
- Aneurysmal bone cyst
II. Cysts associated with the maxillary antrum
- Mucocele
- Retention cyst
- Pseudocyst
- Postoperative maxillary cyst
III. Cysts of the soft tissues of the mouth, face and neck
- Dermoid and epidermoid cysts
- Lymphoepithelial (branchial) cyst
- Thyroglossal duct cyst
- Anterior median lingual cyst (intralingual cyst of foregut origin)
- Oral cysts with gastric or intestinal epithelium (oral alimentary tract cyst)
- Cystic hygroma
- Nasopharyngeal cyst
