What Are Dentigerous Cysts?

Written by Alicia Racelis, PhD
Medically Reviewed by Robert Brennan, DDS on July 08, 2025
7 min read

A dentigerous cyst, also called a follicular cyst, is the second most common type of jaw (odontogenic) cyst. It's a fluid-filled sac that develops in your jawbone over a tooth. The cyst forms around the crown of an unerupted or impacted tooth. In fact, the term "dentigerous" means "containing a tooth."

Dentigerous cysts can happen anytime, anywhere. But they're usually found between 10 and 30 years of age. That's because almost three-quarters of dentigerous cysts happen over an impacted, bottom wisdom tooth. And about a quarter happen over an upper wisdom tooth that's impacted.

If you get a dentigerous cyst, it's usually on one side. Cysts on both sides are very rare. The fluid sac forms around the trapped tooth in your jawbone. The cyst balloons out from the neck of the tooth (where the top of the tooth meets the root).

On an X-ray, the fluid appears like a dark, irregular-shaped bubble with a faint white line. This fluid can sometimes press on the nerves (roots) of other teeth. The noncancerous cyst is usually mild. And with treatment, you can avoid complications. Learn more about dentigerous cyst symptoms, the causes, and how your dentist treats these jaw cysts.

You may not have any symptoms with a small dentigerous cyst. Usually, your jaw cyst doesn't cause pain or discomfort. A dentigerous cyst is often found during your routine dental hygiene visit.

But sometimes, the cyst can grow larger — more than 2 centimeters in diameter. The fluid can press on nearby nerves and root structures. This can lead to symptoms.

With symptoms of a dentigerous cyst, you may have:

  • Tooth sensitivity
  • Swelling of your gums
  • Tooth displacement
  • A small bump where a tooth is supposed to erupt (that isn't going away)
  • Gaps between displaced teeth‌

When to call your dentist

An untreated dentigerous cyst can lead to tooth loss, noncancerous jaw tumors, and breaks (fractures). And rarely, it can also progress to a jaw tumor. But with treatment, your dentist can help you avoid complications.

If you have symptoms of an infection, call your dentist or get dental care right away.

Symptoms of an infected cyst can cause:

  • Pain
  • Burning
  • Prickling or tingling
  • Numbness

The exact cause of dentigerous cysts isn't known. There are two main theories about what causes dentigerous cysts: problems with tooth development and inflammation.

These cysts come from cells and tissues involved in normal tooth formation. Cysts form when fluid builds up between the crown of an unerupted or impacted tooth and your jaw. The condition can affect anyone, but you're at a higher risk if you're in your 20s or 30s.

After your tooth develops, small clusters of cells in your jawbone get trapped. These cell clumps contain enamel called reduced enamel epithelium. And these clumps are attached to the crown of your trapped tooth. As the cyst grows, it surrounds and contains the crown of the tooth within it.

What is another name for a dentigerous cyst?

Another name for a dentigerous cyst is a follicular cyst. It also describes another way the cyst can happen. Normally, your tooth grows inside a sac called the tooth follicle.

Any process or procedure that inflames your tooth follicle as it develops can lead to a cyst. But these dentigerous cysts occur more often over your canines and premolar teeth. And these jaw cysts aren't as common.

What conditions have a higher risk of dentigerous cysts?

You may have a higher risk for dentigerous cysts if you have:

  • Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS): An inherited metabolic disorder where your body lacks the enzymes to break down long-chain sugars called glycosaminoglycans.
  • Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD): An inherited condition that affects your teeth and bone development.

Dentigerous cysts are usually found during routine dental hygiene X-rays. Small cysts often go unnoticed, as they don't cause symptoms. Your dentist often sees the signs first. 

Or you may get an X-ray to check on a tooth that:

  • Hasn't erupted
  • Is missing
  • Isn't aligned right

A cyst may appear on the X-ray as a small dark spot. To confirm the cyst, your dentist may order:

  • Panoramic X-ray, which shows your teeth, upper, and lower jawbone
  • CT scan, which uses multiple X-ray images to make a 3D image of your jawbone and teeth
  • MRI scan, which uses strong magnets to make a detailed image of your jawbone and teeth

These tests can also rule out other types of cysts. But sometimes, your dentist may quickly look at a larger cyst and diagnose it as dentigerous.

Usually, doctors may perform surgery to remove the cyst. But your treatment can depend on many factors, such as:

  • The size of your cyst
  • Where your cyst is located
  • Your age
  • The specific tooth involved
  • The health of the root of the trapped tooth
  • Whether the cyst is connected to nearby tissues

Your medical conditions and oral care also matter. A small cyst is likely easy to remove with dental surgery. Your dentist can also remove the affected tooth.

How is marsupialization done?

If your cyst is large, your dentist may suggest a procedure called marsupialization. 

With this procedure, your oral surgeon may:

  • Numb the area or put you to sleep, depending on what's best for your health
  • Cut the cyst open to form a small hole
  • Make a small "pouch"
  • Stitch the edges to the nearby tissue to keep it open for draining

This allows the cyst to stay open so fluid can drain out freely. Over time, the small hole will slowly close and heal. Marsupialization is helpful when simple drainage isn't enough to treat the cyst.

The procedure has some benefits. For example, it:

  • Keeps nearby tissues intact
  • Allows your affected tooth to erupt without any obstacle
  • Lowers the risk of another cyst coming back‌

Other procedures for dentigerous cysts

If this procedure isn't a good option, there are other treatments. Sometimes, your doctor may suggest dentigerous cyst treatments such as:

  • Reconstructive surgery to restore the jawbone and the surrounding structures
  • Root canal
  • Tooth implants
  • Medical therapy
  • Supportive care to maintain a good quality of life, such as speech therapy (speech and swallowing) and a nutritionist‌

Lifelong follow-ups after any treatment can help spot any new cysts early. Your doctor can monitor your teeth to lower your chance of the cyst returning.

Getting treatment for your dentigerous cyst is important. Even taking out a small cyst can prevent future complications. An untreated dentigerous cyst can lead to:

Infections. An infected dentigerous cyst can lead to infections of the gum (periodontal) or the tooth root (periapical).

Tooth loss. An untreated dentigerous cyst causes distress to the gum tissue, weakening it and causing it to lose its ability to hold a tooth in place. Some cysts are linked to dead or dying teeth.

Jaw fracture. When the jawbone becomes weakened from a cyst infection, it can develop a fracture. The risk is high when the cyst is in the premolar region.

Ameloblastoma or jaw tumor. These are rare tumors that mainly affect the jaw near the molars or wisdom teeth. They arise from cells that form the enamel. If left untreated, the swelling becomes cancerous and may spread to the lungs or lymph nodes. Odontogenic tumors are very rare. And most are closely linked to genetic syndromes. 

Can my dentigerous cyst turn cancerous?

Very rarely, a dentigerous cyst can turn cancerous if it goes untreated. Fats and cellular material may build up inside the cyst and be mistaken for signs of cancer. But odontogenic tumors are very rare. And most are closely linked to genetic syndromes.

You can't prevent dentigerous cysts from happening. But you can catch the signs if you know the symptoms of a dentigerous cyst. Get regular dental checkups for earlier treatment. These measures can help you prevent future complications from jaw cysts.

If you get a misaligned tooth, sore or swollen gums, talk to your dentist. They can help you figure out what's causing the problem. It's a great reason to keep up with your dental cleaning visits every six months.

Good oral hygiene can help you catch a jaw cyst early. Your dentist can talk about options for treatment. And a quick X-ray can rule out a dentigerous cyst.

Dentigerous cyst is a common type of jaw (odontogenic) cyst. The fluid-filled sac develops in your jawbone over an unerupted or impacted canine or wisdom tooth. Although small cysts don't usually cause symptoms, larger ones can lead to pain, swelling, or displaced teeth. Visit your dentist regularly to prevent dentigerous cyst complications and keep your teeth healthy.

What is the most common site for a dentigerous cyst?

The most common site for a dentigerous cyst is over an impacted, bottom wisdom tooth. In fact, 74% of dentigerous cysts form over the lower wisdom teeth, but only 26% happen over the upper wisdom teeth.

What is the difference between a dentigerous cyst and an odontogenic cyst?

An odontogenic cyst is a fluid-filled sac in the jawbone. And a dentigerous cyst is one of the most common types of odontogenic cysts. 

What is the difference between an AOT and a dentigerous cyst?

Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT) is a rare type of noncancerous jaw tumor. Although dentigerous cyst is also a noncancerous jaw growth, it isn't a type of tumor.