What is a jaw cyst?

A cyst is a balloon-like cavity lined with a thin layer of tissue (epithelium) and filled with fluid or a thick substance. Most cysts of the jawbones originate from cell remnants related to tooth development; these are called odontogenic cysts. Cysts grow slowly and, as they grow, make room by eroding the surrounding bone through pressure.

What are the symptoms of a jaw cyst?

The most important feature of jaw cysts is that they can remain silent for a long time. Most small cysts cause no complaints and are seen by chance on a panoramic X-ray taken for another reason. As the cyst grows or becomes infected, the following symptoms may appear:

• A slowly growing, usually painless swelling of the gum or jaw
• A springy or crackling feeling when pressing on the swelling if the bone has thinned
• Teeth shifting, spacing out or becoming loose
• A denture that no longer fits, or a new bump noticed in the mouth
• If the cyst becomes infected: pain, discharge, a bad taste and facial swelling
• Rarely, numbness of the lip if it presses on a nerve (this symptom always requires further investigation)

What types of jaw cysts are there?

The literature reports the rate of cystic change around asymptomatic impacted lower wisdom teeth across a very wide range depending on the study (from a few per thousand to over thirty per cent). That is why periodic monitoring of impacted teeth is important.

How is a jaw cyst diagnosed?

1. Examination: The location and consistency of the swelling and the vitality and mobility of the teeth are assessed.
2. X-ray: On X-rays, cysts usually appear as well-defined, round-to-oval dark (radiolucent) areas.
3. CBCT: For large cysts, the lesion’s relationship to the nerve canal, sinus and neighbouring teeth is examined in 3D.
4. Aspiration and biopsy: If considered necessary, the contents are sampled with a fine needle or a piece of tissue is taken.
5. Pathology: The removed cyst tissue is always sent for pathological examination. The final diagnosis can only be made with this examination, because some tumours can look like cysts on X-rays.

How is a jaw cyst treated?

Cysts do not disappear by themselves and may keep growing. Treatment is therefore usually surgical. There are two main methods:

Enucleation (complete removal of the cyst)

The gum is lifted, a small window is made in the bone over the cyst, and the cyst sac is separated from the cavity and removed in one piece. The cavity is cleaned and stitched; over time the bone fills the cavity on its own. This is the most commonly chosen method when the cyst wall can be removed without harming the neighbouring teeth or the nerve.

Marsupialisation or decompression (reducing the cyst)

With very large cysts, removing the entire cyst in one go may pose a risk to the nerve or sinus, or of jaw fracture. In this case, a window opening into the mouth is created in the cyst wall and the pressure inside the cyst is released. The patient rinses this opening daily. As the cyst shrinks over months, the surrounding bone regenerates; if necessary, the remaining small cyst is later removed by enucleation.

What happens to the tooth associated with the cyst?

In radicular cysts, the tooth causing the problem can be saved with root canal treatment and, if necessary, root-end surgery (apicectomy); if the tooth cannot be saved, extraction is planned. Extraction is usually recommended for teeth with resorption of the root surface. In follicular cysts, the related impacted wisdom tooth is usually removed together with the cyst. In children and young people, however, after the cyst has been reduced, the tooth may be allowed to erupt on its own or with orthodontic help.

Who should be monitored more closely?

• People with an impacted wisdom tooth or impacted canine: the tooth sac can enlarge over time and turn into a follicular cyst.
• People with a tooth that has had root canal treatment or has lost its nerve due to deep decay: a silent lesion may develop at the root tip.
• People previously treated for a keratocyst: regular X-ray check-ups are recommended because of the possibility of recurrence.
• People who have been toothless for many years and wear dentures: a residual cyst may have remained unnoticed in the areas of extracted teeth.

In these groups, a panoramic X-ray is repeated at the intervals your dentist recommends. This way, a cyst is detected while it is small and can be treated with more limited surgery. Especially in areas where implants are planned, the 3D imaging done before the implant can also reveal previously unnoticed cysts.

Risks and the healing process

• Swelling, pain and slight bleeding are expected in the first days.
• With large cysts, the vitality of neighbouring teeth may be affected; these teeth are tested during follow-up.
• With cysts close to the nerve in the lower jaw, temporary numbness may occur.
• Especially with keratocysts, X-ray follow-up lasting years is recommended because of the risk of recurrence.
• It takes months for the bone to fill the cavity; X-ray check-ups show the healing during this period.

At Yayla Dental Akademi in Istanbul, jaw cysts are assessed with X-rays and, when needed, CBCT; for teeth that can be saved with root canal treatment, a plan is made together with our endodontics specialist, and removed tissue is sent for pathological examination.

Frequently asked questions

Related pages

Medically reviewed by: Dr. Dt. Mehmet Fuat BozabaSpecialist in periodontology · September 2026

For appointments and information: Message us on WhatsApp or call 0544 289 66 33. Yayla Dental Akademi, Bahçelievler / Istanbul.

Sources: Fragiskos FD (ed). Oral Surgery. Springer; 2007 · Abubaker AO, Benson KJ (eds). Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Secrets. 2nd ed. Mosby Elsevier; 2007 · Miloro M, Ghali GE, Larsen PE, Waite PD (eds). Peterson’s Principles of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2nd ed. BC Decker; 2004 · Wayland J. Impacted Third Molars. 1st ed. Wiley-Blackwell; 2018.

This article is for information only; a diagnosis and treatment plan can only be made by a dentist after an examination.