RESUMO
A review of literature indicates that very few of these cysts are found in children less than ten years of age, in spite of the fact that the cysts are associated with the eruption and/or formation of the secondary dentition. Although dentigerous cysts are rare in the first decade of life, a thorough review of a child's initial radiographs is of obvious importance as indicated by this case report. Of prime importance in this matter is the age at which the initial panoramic radiographic examination is performed on a child. According to the guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the first panoramic radiographic examination should be performed following the eruption of the first permanent tooth. In this case, the appropriate radiographic survey was not conducted. A proper survey should include: Proper exposure of the film. Proper development of the film. Proper interpretation of the film. This child had a quadrant of dentistry performed three months prior to the discovery of the lesion. The previous dental provider noted that a panoramic radiograph had been exposed. It is unclear whether all of the aforementioned steps were followed or completed in order for the provider to obtain the information needed to render a diagnosis, and to properly refer this patient for a more in-depth examination of her mandibular swelling. The mere fact that this child's right mandibular first molar was fully erupted and the left one had not erupted at all, would be reason enough to take a panoramic radiograph to investigate the cause of the clinical absence of the contralateral first molar. This article has presented a case in which a proper panoramic radiographic examination performed at the time of eruption of the first permanent tooth may have led to an earlier diagnosis of the cyst, and thus might have prevented the loss of multiple permanent teeth.
