Dentigerous cyst in a young child: a case report.

Dentigerous cysts are one of the most common developmental types of odontogenic cysts occurring in the oral cavity and often manifest as incidental findings on dental radiographs and/or as asymptomatic swellings. These cysts develop from remnants of reduced enamel epithelium around the crown of an unerupted or impacted tooth, attached at the level of the cementoenamel junction. Most are considered developmental. However, in young clients they may be inflammatory in origin, the result of caries in the primary dentition. This short communication highlights a case of an asymptomatic dentigerous cyst identified in a 4-year-old child and subsequent enucleation under general anesthesia. A thorough clinical and radiographic assessment of the oral cavity in pediatric clients merits a review of dentigerous cysts by the dental hygienist.