Therapy | The jaw cyst

Therapy

There are two ways to treat a cyst. Once by means of a cystectomy and once by means of a cystostomy. In a cystectomy the cyst is completely removed, i.e. cut out.

In a cystostomy one cyst wall is removed, the others are left in place. The cyst bellows are also retained. This cyst cavity is left open so that everything that is imitated can drain away again.

In this way, the cavity can grow over with bone again and gradually reduce its size. If this opening is missing, the cyst starts to grow again. This cannot happen during a cyectomy.

However, the disadvantage is that any neighboring structures are also removed. Therefore, the total removal of large cysts by means of cystectomy is not possible. The risk of a bone fracture would be too great.

In the case of cysts in the lower jaw, cystostomy is also used in order not to endanger the large nerve. The same happens with cysts in the anterior region. In order to protect the floor of the nose, only the cyst is fenestrated, leaving the rest of the cyst and the cyst bellows intact.

Every cyst should be treated under normal circumstances. Depending on what it is called, any dental procedure involving the use of a knife is a minor operation. However, it is difficult to generalize when an operation under general anesthesia is needed.

Such operations are performed by very well trained oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Each doctor has different preferences and experience, so different doctors make different decisions. Major surgery is necessary when the area around the cyst cannot be anaesthetized by local anaesthesia and therefore general anaesthesia is necessary.

This should also be used if access to the cyst is so difficult that neighbouring structures have to be paralysed. In the majority of cases, however, local anesthesia is sufficient. Learn more about: General anesthesia at the dentistThe operation of a jaw cyst differs depending on the surgical technique and the size of the cyst.

Small cysts are treated by a cystectomy, which means that the entire cyst, including the cyst bellows, is removed and the bone is peeled out. The contents of the cyst and all cystic tissue are sent to pathology to obtain a reliable microscopic diagnosis. The hole in the jawbone that is now present must be filled.

This can be done either with bone replacement materials or with a so-called obturator. The obturator is a plastic closure cap made on the model, which serves as a placeholder. Because the soft tissue heals faster, the wound may be closed superficially by oral mucosa, while no bone has formed in the depth and a cavity remains.

The obturator prevents this by being continuously reduced in size by the dentist, so that bone can rebuild itself piece by piece. Very rarely is a cyst so small that the cavity does not need to be filled after removal. This surgical technique cannot be used for large cysts, as this would result in a too large bone defect.

With large cysts, a cystostomy is performed first. This means that the cyst is fenestrated. The secretion drains off, the cyst becomes smaller and the pressure decreases.

In addition, medicinal inserts are inserted to disinfect the cavity. In a second therapeutic step, the reduced cyst is now cystectomized. If the tooth was the cause of the cyst and it is no longer anchored due to the size of the cyst, it must also be removed.

An obturator can also be useful during cystostomy.Surgery for a cyst can be performed either under local or general anesthesia. A cystostomy is usually performed under local anesthesia and takes about half an hour. In the case of cystectomies, the duration can vary.

While small cysts are also removed under local anesthesia in half to three-quarters of an hour, the procedure takes longer for large cysts. These can then be removed under general anesthesia. The procedure can then take one to two hours, depending on the extent of the cyst and the type of reconstruction.

After surgical removal of the cyst, the body must recover from the procedure. A sick note is usually issued between two and seven days and the patient must come for a daily follow-up. The swelling and the healing process are monitored in order to quickly identify any complications that may arise during the healing process.

If wound healing is impaired, the sick leave is extended. Patients with a physically demanding job can also be put on sick leave for up to two weeks, so that early stress does not negatively affect healing. In the field of homeopathy there is little to treat a jaw cyst.

Homeopathy guides recommend potassium chloratum in the potencies D6 and D12. However, it is not possible to remove the cyst with globules alone. Unfortunately, cysts must be surgically removed or cut open.

There is no globule preparation that removes a liquid by piercing a membrane. Homeopathic remedies are recommended for additional therapy. Either to relieve or calm pain. Arnica globules are supposed to reduce the pain after the operation at the dentist’s, to let the inflammation heal faster and to accelerate the healing process. There are also homeopathic remedies for prevention, which are supposed to prevent inflammation or improve oral hygiene.