What is Oral, Dental & Jaw Cysts?
A cyst is a fluid-filled sac. In the mouth and jaws, cysts may form around the root of a dead or infected tooth (radicular cysts), around an unerupted tooth such as a wisdom tooth (dentigerous cysts), or in the soft tissues, such as a mucocele of the lip or a ranula under the tongue. Most are benign, but some types can grow and weaken the jawbone if left untreated.
Common symptoms
- A painless swelling of the gum, jaw, lip or floor of the mouth
- A bluish, soft bump inside the lip or under the tongue
- Loose or displaced teeth, or a tooth that has not come through
- Pain or pus if the cyst becomes infected
- A cyst found incidentally on a dental X-ray
When to seek an assessment
Arrange an assessment for any swelling in the mouth or jaw that persists beyond two weeks, grows, or is associated with numbness, loose teeth or infection.
The role of an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Jaw cysts often lie close to teeth, nerves and the sinus. An Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon is trained to interpret dental and jaw imaging, take biopsies, and remove cysts while preserving bone, teeth and nerve function where possible.
Diagnosis and assessment
Every plan begins with a careful consultation and clinical examination. Depending on the findings, imaging (such as an OPG X-ray, CBCT, ultrasound, CT or MRI), blood tests, or a biopsy with histopathology may be needed before a diagnosis is confirmed. Treatment is only recommended once the nature of the problem is understood.
Treatment options
The options below are a general overview. The right approach for you depends on your examination, imaging and any biopsy or pathology findings.
Treatment of the cause
Some small cysts linked to an infected tooth may resolve after root canal treatment or extraction, with follow-up X-rays.
Enucleation
Complete surgical removal of the cyst lining, usually with the specimen sent for histopathology.
Marsupialisation / decompression
For large cysts, an opening may be made to shrink the cyst gradually before definitive removal, protecting teeth and nerves.
Soft-tissue cyst excision
Removal of mucoceles or ranulas, sometimes with the associated minor salivary gland.
Recovery and aftercare
- Swelling and discomfort for several days, managed with prescribed medicines
- Soft diet and careful oral hygiene with prescribed mouthwash
- Stitch removal or review at one to two weeks
- Periodic X-ray follow-up for jaw cysts to confirm bone healing and check for recurrence
You will receive specific aftercare instructions for your procedure.
Referral and multidisciplinary care
If pathology shows an unusual lesion, or if a cyst is very large or involves major structures, care may be coordinated with a multidisciplinary team, including pathologists, radiologists or a tertiary maxillofacial centre.
This page provides general information and is not a substitute for a personal consultation. Outcomes vary between individuals.