Understanding Radicular Cysts & What To Do About Them

This is a fancy way of saying inflammation of the gums.

Infected Radicular Cysts Vs Asymptomatic Cysts

I will endeavour to keep the jargon to a minimum when explaining and outlining the nature of these cysts for your easy understanding. These lesions tend to be less than a centimetre in size and appear to be rounded or pear shaped. Dentists get to see them via radiographic imaging. Most usually, the cysts are found in the periapical region. Periapical tissues include cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone.

The radicular cyst, also known as a periapical cyst or root end cyst, is fundamentally a type of odontogenic cyst. Most commonly found via the maxillary central incisors and mandibular first molars. These cysts are diagnosed accidentally most usually during routine radiographic examinations. (Rathi N, Reche A, Agrawal S. Radicular Cyst: A Cystic Lesion Involving the Hard Palate. Cureus. 2023)

How Do These Things Form?

It all begins with penetration of the tooth surface and bacterial infection progresses to:

“The pulp necrosis and infection progresses to involve the entire pulp, and within a few months, the root canal system becomes pulpless and infected. In conjunction with this progression of disease in the root canal system, the periapical tissues become inflamed (apical periodontitis). This inflammatory process is dynamic with various phases of acute or chronic inflammation. It can also progress to develop acute or chronic abscesses and sometimes facial cellulitis. In some cases, if epithelium is present in the periapical tissues, a pocket cyst may develop and this may progress to become a true cyst. Following appropriate endodontic treatment, the periapical tissues usually heal and return to a clinically normal state although in some cases there may be some scar tissue present.”
– PocketDentistry.com

Our teeth are very hard surfaces, the enamel, and unfortunately once cracks or fissures occur the pulp and root canal system are soft and full of vulnerable feeling. Infections occur via bacteria and this quickly progresses to necrosis and a pulpless state. We experience these things as tooth ache and nerve pain, which can become quite severe, especially in those roots in the lower jaw. Inflammation and infection are debilitating and potentially serious for our overall health. This is why it is always recommended that you see your dentist Sunbury people, as soon as possible.

Getting To Grips With Oral Cysts

“A periapical inflammatory lesion is a local response of the tissues around the apex of a tooth root that occurs as a result of pulpal necrosis secondary to caries or trauma… Histologically, the periapical inflammatory lesion may represent a periapical abscess (acute apical periodontitis) or a periapical granuloma (chronic apical periodontitis). “
– ScienceDirect.com

If not treated appropriately an abscess can become a granuloma. If left untreated this condition may result in osteomyelitis, facial cellulitis, abscess with draining sinus tract, or a periapical cyst.

“Radicular cysts are formed by resorption of the periapical portions of alveolar bone by immune-inflammatory mechanisms. These mechanisms include activities carried out by cells that are pivotal in bone formation and resorption, such as osteoblasts, osteocytes and osteoclasts. The formation of radicular cysts is further augmented by the release of inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. “
– News-Medical.net

Radicular cysts can be treated without surgery, via root canal therapy or they can be removed through surgical procedure. Large cysts are most commonly approached via decompression and root canal therapy. Especially those which occur near craniofacial structures like the maxillary sinus and mental foramen. In the majority of cases patients respond well to treatment for radicular cysts without adverse reactions.

Feel A Lump Don’t Panic See Your Dentist

The important thing if you feel a lump or some sort of cyst inside your mouth is not to panic. Rather make an appointment to see your local dentist and get things checked out are key parts of understanding radicular cysts and what to do about them. In most instances it will be a simple matter for your dental clinic to treat your radicular cyst, if that is what you have. These occur most often in middle age for people in their 40s to 60s.

Taking Care Of Your Oral Health & Hygiene

Any concerns about the state of your oral health is an opportunity to step up your care protocols. It is a good idea as we get older to pay greater attention to the care and maintenance of our teeth and gums. Sometimes in life, we may become too rote in our teeth brushing and oral care, more generally. You know, you have been doing these things since you were knee high to a grasshopper and… Ask yourself some tough questions like – are you really brushing your teeth to the very best of your ability? I don’t mean going hard at it but being thorough. Is your toothbrush new? It is advisable to change to a new soft bristled tooth brush ever 3 months at least.

Do you gargle once a week with a reputable mouth wash? How about flossing? Somebody famous once said that natural teeth are more valuable than diamonds. Ain’t that the truth! We all need to look after this finite resource to the best of our abilities. Taking care of business morning and night and all those times in-between will go some way to preventing things like radicular cysts forming.

Drink plenty of pure water regularly. Sipping often is great for keeping your mouth saliva levels up, as dry mouth is one of the leading causes of dental problems and gum disease. Bacteria love a lack of saliva and infect teeth and gums in dry mouth environments. Eat a good diet with plenty of green leafy vegetables for your microbiome. This will keep your gut flora happy and they will look after a lot of your body/mind equilibrium issues. Remember to regularly see your dentist. Don’t leave it to become an emergency. Emergencies cost more money and neglect turns small problems into larger ones.

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Note: All content and media on the  Sunbury Dental House website and social media channels are created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.

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