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# Jaw cysts and odontogenic tumours

- Oral pathology

Most dark areas in the jaw on X-ray are cysts from teeth. A few are tumours that grow, recur or, rarely, are malignant: all need a diagnosis.

Updated Nov 12, 2026

**See it in 3D:** [Mandible](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/mandible/) · [Maxillae](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/maxilla/)

## Key points

- Radicular cyst = dead tooth; dentigerous cyst = unerupted tooth.
- Ameloblastoma: posterior mandible, soap-bubble radiolucency.
- Numb lip with a jaw lesion = urgent.

## What it is

Odontogenic cysts and tumours arise from the tissues that form teeth. The commonest cyst is the radicular (periapical) cyst at the root tip of a dead tooth. The dentigerous cyst surrounds the crown of an unerupted tooth, often a lower third molar or an upper canine. The odontogenic keratocyst is aggressive, recurs after removal and, when multiple, suggests Gorlin syndrome. Among tumours, the odontoma is a harmless mass of tooth tissue, and the ameloblastoma is a benign but locally invasive tumour of the posterior mandible that expands the jaw. Many lesions are found by chance on panoramic radiographs.

## How to recognise it

- Radicular cyst: apex of a non-vital tooth; dentigerous cyst: crown of an unerupted tooth.
- Odontogenic keratocyst: high recurrence; multiple ones with basal cell carcinomas = Gorlin syndrome.
- Ameloblastoma: posterior mandible, multilocular «soap bubble» radiolucency, painless expansion.
- Warning signs: pain, numbness of the lip, loosening of teeth, rapid growth, ragged borders.
- Non-odontogenic lesions (giant cell lesions, metastases, myeloma, osteosarcoma) also occur in the jaws.

## Differential and risks

- Lower lip numbness with a jaw lesion suggests malignancy or nerve compression and needs urgent assessment.
- A loose tooth without periodontal disease can be the sign of a destructive jaw lesion.
- Large cysts can cause pathological fracture of the mandible.

## Next step / Initial management

- Incidental well-defined radiolucency: refer to the dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon for assessment, CBCT and biopsy as needed.
- Painful, growing, multilocular or ill-defined lesion, or numb lip: urgent referral to maxillofacial surgery.
- Multiple keratocysts: refer for genetic assessment (Gorlin syndrome) and skin surveillance.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## What is the most common odontogenic cyst?

The radicular (periapical) cyst at the root tip of a non-vital tooth.

## Which cyst surrounds the crown of an unerupted tooth?

The dentigerous cyst.

## What syndrome do multiple odontogenic keratocysts suggest?

Gorlin (naevoid basal cell carcinoma) syndrome.

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## Connections

## See it in 3D 2

The structures of Durgical's 3D anatomy where it is found.

- [Mandible](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/mandible/)
- [Maxillae](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/maxilla/)

## Related 3

- [Dental imaging: bitewing, periapical, panoramic and CBCT](https://durgical.com/en/dentistry/dental-imaging-bitewing-periapical-panoramic-and-cbct/)
- [Maxilla and mandible: applied anatomy for dentistry](https://durgical.com/en/dentistry/maxilla-and-mandible-applied-anatomy-for-dentistry/)
- [Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw](https://durgical.com/en/dentistry/medication-related-osteonecrosis-of-the-jaw/)

[← All of dentistry](https://durgical.com/en/dentistry/)

Educational content; it does not replace assessment by a dentist or doctor and is not a clinical instruction. For facial or neck swelling with difficulty swallowing or breathing, a knocked-out tooth or bleeding that will not stop, go to an emergency department at once.

Sources: [Odontogenic Cysts](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK574529/) (StatPearls Publishing (NCBI Bookshelf), 2022); [Odontogenic Tumors of the Jaws](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK572116/) (StatPearls Publishing (NCBI Bookshelf), 2023); [Dental Cone Beam Computed Tomography](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK592390/) (StatPearls Publishing (NCBI Bookshelf), 2023).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/dentistry/jaw-cysts-and-odontogenic-tumours/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/dentistry/jaw-cysts-and-odontogenic-tumours/