title: Spontaneous bone regeneration after enucleation of large mandibular cysts: a radiographic computed analysis of 27 consecutive cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the spontaneous bone healing after enucleation of large mandibular cysts subjectively and with a computed analysis of postoperative panoramic radiographs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-nine patients had large mandibular cysts treated by surgical enucleation. Postoperative clinical and radiographic examinations were performed at 6, 12, and 24 months in 27 patients. Bone regeneration and reduction of the residual cavities and bone density were evaluated with a computed analysis of preoperative and postoperative panoramic radiographs. A subjective and clinical radiographic evaluation of the healing process also was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Uneventful healing and spontaneous filling of the residual cavities was obtained in all cases. The computed analysis of the postoperative radiographs showed mean values of reduction in size of the residual cavity of 12.34% after 6 months, 43.46% after 12 months, and 81.30% after 24 months. The increase in bone density was 37% after 6 months, 48.27% after 12 months, and 91.01% after 24 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spontaneous bone regeneration can occur in large mandibular cysts without the aid of any filling materials. This simplifies the surgical procedure, decreases the economic and biologic costs, and reduces the risk of postoperative complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry and Stomatology, San Paolo Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Milano, Italy. matteo.chiapasco@unimi.it
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chiapasco
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Motta
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crescentini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D002648:Child; D003803:Dentigerous Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011842:Radicular Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic