Spontaneous bone regeneration after enucleation of jaw cysts: a comparative study of panoramic radiography and computed tomography

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: A cyst is a closed pathologic sac containing fluid or semi-solid material in central region. The most common conventional treatment for a cyst is enucleation. It was reported that spontaneous bone healing could be accomplished without bone grafting. We are trying to evaluate bone reconstruction ability by analyzing panorama radiograph and computed tomography (CT) scan with retrograde studying after cyst enucleation. In this way we are estimating critical size defect for spontaneous healing without bone graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised of 45 patients who were diagnosed as cysts and implemented enucleation treatment without bone graft. After radiograph photo taking ante and post surgery for 6, 12, 18, 24 months, the healing surface and volumetric changes were calculated. RESULTS: 1. Spontaneous bone healing was accomplished clinically satisfying 12 months later after surgery. But analyzing CT scan, defect volume changes indicate 79.24% which imply incomplete bone healing of defect area. 2. Comparing volume changes of defect area of CT scan, there are statistical significance between under 5,000 mm3 and over 5,000 mm3. The defect volume of 5,000 mm3 shows 2.79x1.91 cm in panoramic view. CONCLUSION: Bone defects, which are determined by a healed section using a panoramic view, compared to CT scans which do not show up. Also we can estimate the critical size of defects for complete healing.