Cysts on Teeth: Causes, How to Treat, and Treatment

Sahabat Hermina, a tooth cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms around the teeth or gum tissue. This condition usually develops slowly and shows no symptoms in the early stages. Cysts are generally found around the roots of teeth or areas that have experienced trauma or infection. If not treated properly, tooth cysts can cause serious complications, such as damage to the bones and surrounding tissue.

Causes of Tooth Cysts

Here are some of the main factors that cause tooth cysts:

• Untreated Tooth Infection

Teeth that are infected and not treated immediately can trigger the formation of cysts in the tooth root area. This infection usually comes from cavities (caries) which causes pulpitis or pulp damage.

• Trauma to Teeth

Injury or impact to the tooth can kill the pulp tissue (the nerves and blood vessels in the tooth), triggering the formation of cysts.

• Impacted Teeth

Wisdom teeth or other teeth that do not grow completely (impacted) can form cysts because the surrounding tissue becomes inflamed.

• Periapical Infection

Formed at the tip of the tooth root due to bacteria entering the pulp and causing nerve death. This condition is usually called a periapical cyst.

• Dentigerous cyst

A type of cyst that forms around unerupted teeth, such as wisdom teeth or retained permanent teeth.

Tooth Cyst Symptoms

In the early stages, cysts may not cause symptoms. However, as the size increases, the following symptoms may appear:

• Swelling around the gums or jaw.
• Pain or discomfort in the tooth area.
• Discoloration of associated teeth.
• Swelling of the face.
• Teeth become loose or loose if the cyst presses on the bone.
• An abscess (pus pocket) forms if a secondary infection occurs.

How to Overcome and Treat Tooth Cysts

• Root Canal Treatment (Root Canal Treatment/RCT)

If a cyst forms due to infection of the tooth root, root canal treatment may be a solution. The dentist will clean and refill the root canal to remove the source of infection.

• Cyst Excision (Cystectomy)

If the cyst is large or cannot be treated with RCT, the dentist can perform surgery to remove the cyst. In some cases, part of the affected bone may also need to be removed.

• Tooth Extraction

If a cyst forms around a tooth that cannot be retained, the tooth must be removed to stop the cyst from developing.

• Marsupialization

This method is used for large cysts to make the recovery process easier. Part of the cyst wall is opened to allow fluid drainage and prevent further enlargement.

• Antibiotics

If there is a secondary infection, the dentist may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and speed up the healing process.

Prevention of Tooth Cysts

• Check with your dentist regularly every 6 months to detect problems early.
• Maintain oral hygiene by brushing your teeth at least twice a day and using dental floss.
• Treat cavities or infections immediately to prevent further complications.
• Avoid trauma to your teeth by using a mouthguard when exercising.

Well, cysts on teeth are a condition that is often not realized until it enlarges in size and causes symptoms. Infection and trauma to the teeth are the main factors causing it. Treatment for tooth cysts includes root canal treatment, cystectomy, and tooth extraction if necessary. Prevention through good dental care and regular check-ups is essential to avoid cyst formation. If you experience symptoms of a tooth cyst, immediately consult a dentist to get the right treatment. Stay healthy.

 

Reference

• American Association of Endodontists. (2022). Understanding Apical Periodontitis and Cysts.
• Kulkarni, T., & Mandal, R. (2020). "Management of Dental Cysts: A Review". Journal of Clinical Dentistry Research.
• Mayo Clinic. (2023). Dental Cysts: Causes and Treatment.