ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the therapeutic effects of fenestration in the treatment of dentigerous cyst in mixed dentition stage. Methods From 2004 to 2007, 8 cases of dentigerous cyst in mixed dentition stage were treated, among whom 3 were boys and 5 were girls with ages between 7 and 12 years old. The dentigerous cysts of 2 cases were in superior maxillary bone and the other 6 cases were in inferior maxillary bone. Each of 5 cases had one tooth in dentigerous cyst cavity, and each of the other 3 had 3 teeth in dentigerous cyst cavity. All patients received fenestration under local anesthesia. The patients were followed up for 18 months after fenestration, and the soft tissue healing, facial malformation, permanent teeth eruption and bone tissue healing were observed. Results It was found during follow up that cyst cavity disappeared in all the patients and all had normal facial morphology with no maxillary bone malformation. In five cases, permanent teeth erupted totally and dental occlusion kept normal. In one case, 2/3 of permanent teeth erupted and dental occlusion kept almost normal. While in the other two cases, permanent teeth were to erupt. It was revealed by X ray examinations that the shadow of maxillary bone density decrease disappeared in all the patients. Conclusion Fenestration can keep the teeth and bone in the treatment of dentigerous cyst in the mixed dentition stage.