title: Pericoronal radiolucencies and the significance of early detection.
abstract: Pericoronal radiolucencies are common radiographic findings encountered in general dental practice. They usually represent a normal or enlarged dental follicle that requires no intervention; alternatively they may represent a pathological entity that requires appropriate management and histopathological interpretation. A pericoronal space of greater than 2.5mm on an intraoral radiograph and greater than 3mm on a rotational panoramic radiograph should be regarded as suspicious. Although many pathological processes may present radiographically as pericoronal radiolucencies associated with unerupted teeth, the most common is the dentigerous cyst. These lesions may enlarge considerably if allowed to develop unchecked, and have the potential for pathological transformation. In this report we present four cases of large pericoronal radiolucencies associated with unerupted teeth, and highlight the importance of early detection and management of such lesions.
authors.affiliation: Oral Biology and Pathology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane. c.farah@mailbox.uq.edu.au
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Farah
authors.forename: N W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Savage
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003795:Dental Sac / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003803:Dentigerous Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009807:Odontogenic Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012391:Root Resorption / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014097:Tooth, Unerupted / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*