Prevalence of dentigerous cysts in a Portuguese university clinic population with bone pathology

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and characterize the dentigerous cyst in a Portuguese population with bone pathology and to study the concordance rate between clinical and histological diagnoses of all cases. Methods: Clinical records of patients attending Oral Surgery and Oral Pathology consultations in a Portuguese university clinic between 2000 and 2023 were consulted. Bone pathology cases were selected along with information about sex, age, and anatomic location. The concordance rate between clinical and histological diagnoses was also calculated, dividing the cases into totally concordant, partially concordant, and discordant. Statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square tests. Results: The dentigerous cyst prevalence within bone pathology cases was 10.50%. It was more prevalent in males (68%), with no statistical significance (p>0.05). The average age of patients was 36.9 ± 13.5 years old. About half of the cases (56%) were associated with unerupted teeth, and third molars were the most affected teeth (33.33%). Most cases (57%) were in the mandible, with no statistical significance, more prevalent in the fourth quadrant (38.89%). The clinical diagnosis of 44.80% of the cases analyzed agreed with the histological diagnosis, 17.65% agreed partially, and 37.55% disagreed. Conclusions: The prevalence of dentigerous cysts in the referred population was 10.50%. They were more prevalent in males and mostly located in the mandible, with a higher incidence between 19 and 50 years of age. The concordance rate between clinical and histological diagnoses was 62.45%, a value that can and should be improved.