This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial International License
(CC BY-NC 4.0).
Background: Dentigerous cysts are common developmental odontogenic cysts found in pediatric patients, often associated with unerupted or impacted teeth. Their management presents challenges, particularly when deciding between marsupialization and enucleation, as both techniques have distinct outcomes and considerations.
Objective:The study aimed to compare the surgical outcomes of marsupialization and enucleation in the treatment of pediatric dentigerous cysts, focusing on recurrence rates, healing time, tooth eruption, postoperative complications, and aesthetic outcomes.
Methods:A total of 110 pediatric patients diagnosed with dentigerous cysts were enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups: marsupialization (n = 55) and enucleation (n = 55). Surgical outcomes were assessed at 1 month, 3 months,
6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Key outcomes included recurrence rate, healing time, tooth eruption (if applicable), postoperative complications (infection, wound dehiscence), and aesthetic/functional outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS with a significance level set at p < 0.05.
Results: The recurrence rate was 5.5% in the marsupialization group and 1.8% in the enucleation group. Healing time was significantly longer in the marsupialization group (8.7 ± 2.3 weeks) compared to the enucleation group (6.2 ± 1.5 weeks). Tooth eruption was successful in 87.3% of the cases in the marsupialization group, with a mean eruption time of 9.5 ± 2.1 months. Postoperative complications, including infection and wound dehiscence, were more frequent in the marsupialization group but not significantly different from enucleation. Aesthetic and functional outcomes were
similar between both groups, with no significant differences in facial symmetry, scar formation, or impact on speech and mastication.
Conclusion: Both marsupialization and enucleation are effective treatments for pediatric dentigerous cysts.
Marsupialization is advantageous for preserving the impacted tooth and encouraging its eruption, though it requires longer healing time. Enucleation provides quicker resolution but is preferred for larger cysts or non-viable teeth. The choice of procedure should be tailored to the individual patient’s condition and the cyst’s characteristics.