Traumatic bone cysts of jaws: Diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis

A summary of the findings in the clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of sixty-six previously unreported cases of traumatic bone cysts is presented. Four detailed cases are reported to illustrate the variability of the lesion. Accurate pulp vitality tests supported by good-quality roentgenograms are necessary to determine whether the lesion is pulpal in origin, requiring endodontic therapy, or another entity for which endodontic therapy is contraindicated. Most teeth involved, including the surrounding soft tissues, are normal in appearance. Involved teeth are asymptomatic without mobility and respond to electrical and thermal vitality tests as do adjacent uninvolved teeth. Treatment consists of making a semilunar incision over the lesion site, drilling a small hole to the lesion, aspirating contents at the bottom of the cavity for confirmation of the diagnosis, irrigation, aspirating dry, allowing blood to fill the cavity, and then suturing the mucoperiosteal flap to its original position. Healing is uneventful. Postoperative recalls with vitality tests should continue periodically until the cavity fills with bone.