Case Reports
Nigel R Figueiredo, Manoj Meen
Abstract
The eruption cyst is regarded as a soft tissue analogue of the dentigerous cyst, but is considered as a distinct clinical entity. It is defined as a cyst that lies superficial to the crown of an erupting tooth, and is lined by stratified squamous non-keratinizing epithelium. Clinically, it appears as a soft, often translucent swelling of the gingival mucosa overlying the crown of the involved tooth, and may vary from pink to bluish-purple in colour. It is usually seen in children and the teeth commonly affected include the permanent first molars and maxillary incisors. Radiographically, no evidence of bone involvement is seen and treatment consists of simple excision of the roof of the cyst. This paper describes a case of an eruption cyst in a 7-year old male patient, which presented as a swelling involving the gingiva overlying the crown of 21, along with a review of the literature.