What is a dental cyst and what types are there?
A cyst is a closed pocket lined by a thin layer of tissue and filled with fluid or soft material. In the jaw it grows slowly and pushes against the bone and nearby teeth. Most are not cancer, but they do not go away on their own and can keep growing.
The two most common types are easy to describe. A root-end cyst forms at the tip of the root of a tooth whose nerve has died, often after deep decay or injury. A cyst around an unerupted tooth (a dentigerous cyst) forms around the crown of a tooth that has not come through, commonly a wisdom tooth or canine. Our guide on an impacted tooth explains why teeth get stuck.
| Type | Where it forms | Usual link |
|---|---|---|
| Root-end (radicular) cyst | At the tip of a dead tooth's root | Deep decay, injury, long-standing infection |
| Cyst around an unerupted tooth | Around the crown of a tooth that has not come through | Impacted wisdom tooth or canine |
| Other, rarer jaw cysts | Elsewhere in the jawbone | Needs a specialist to identify |
Common jaw cysts in plain words. General information, not a diagnosis.
Dental cyst symptoms and how it is found
Many cysts cause no symptoms at all and are found by chance on an X-ray taken for another reason. When they grow, you may notice a firm, painless swelling, a tooth that feels loose or has shifted, a bad taste, or pain if the cyst becomes infected. On an X-ray a cyst shows as a dark, well-defined area in the bone. A panoramic view or 3D scan helps map its size, as described in types of dental X-ray and the OPG full form guide.
Not every dark area is a cyst. A dentist or oral surgeon looks at the scan with the teeth and may advise a small sample (biopsy) of what is removed to confirm what it was.
Dental cyst treatment: does it need to be removed?
Most cysts need treatment because they keep enlarging and can weaken the jawbone. The treatment depends on the type and size and is carried out by a dentist or oral surgeon. For a cyst at a dead tooth's root, the tooth may be saved by root canal treatment or removed, with the cyst cleaned out. For a cyst around an unerupted tooth, the cyst and that tooth are usually removed together.
Larger cysts may need minor surgery under local anaesthetic, where the cyst is taken out, or opened and drained, and stitches are placed. Recovery is similar to other extractions, as in the tooth extraction procedure. The removed tissue is usually sent for examination.
When a swollen jaw or gum is urgent
An infected cyst can cause pain, a bad taste and swelling. Swelling of the face or jaw that is spreading, fever, or difficulty swallowing or breathing needs same-day care. If breathing or swallowing is affected, go to a hospital emergency department.
A firm lump, a long-standing swelling or a tooth that has moved for no reason needs a dental check even without pain. See the wisdom tooth pain page if the area behind your last molar is sore.
Common questions
Can a dental cyst go away on its own?
No. A cyst does not shrink by itself and tends to grow slowly, so it should be assessed by a dentist or oral surgeon.
Is a dental cyst cancer?
Most dental cysts are not cancer. The removed tissue is usually examined to confirm what it was.
Does a dental cyst hurt?
Often not, until it grows large or gets infected. Many are found on an X-ray before any symptoms.
How is a dental cyst diagnosed?
By a dental examination and X-ray, sometimes a 3D scan. Confirming exactly what it is may need examination of the tissue after removal.
About this page
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a quotation. Prices are prevailing Lucknow market ranges. Your own treatment and cost are determined after an examination. For questions about your own case, call +91 83036 12717.