10% of people may develop abnormal growths in their jaws

These growths could be cysts or tumours depending on how they appear on x-rays and cone beam or medical CT scans and MRI’s.

These growths are usually seen around the roots of infected teeth or around impacted wisdom teeth that were never removed.

Growths can be caused because of an inflammatory process or they may develop spontaneously. These growths can either cause bone expansion or destruction and can also cause teeth to be displaced. 

What kind of abnormal growths can occur in the jaws?

Cysts

• This is an abnormal collection of fluid that is surrounded by a sac (much like a water balloon). 
• Most cysts form from remnants of cells that were involved in the development of your teeth (odontogenic cysts).
• They usually have a slow growth and cause expansion of bone when they become significantly large.
• Once a cyst is removed, it is unlikely to recur in the same position.

Tumours

• These are more solid growths that can also form in the jaws. 
• They can also develop from remnants of cells that were involved in the development of your teeth.
• The other ways that tumours can form is from cells that usually form bone, cartilage, blood vessels or other tissues. Tumours can also form as part of various syndromes.
• Most jaw tumours are benign (non-cancerous) but can cause significant destruction if they are not treated properly.
• Tumours can also recur if not treated optimally.

Jaw Cancer

• This is an abnormal growth that develops when normal cells mutate and then replicate in the mutated state.
• Cancer can spread to the surrounding tissues and cause significant damage.
• Cancer of the mouth can form in the jaws, gums or oral mucosa.
• The management of oral cancer requires a multidisciplinary team which usually includes: maxillofacial surgeon, ENT surgeon, plastic surgeon, oncologist, physician, dentist.

What kind of problems can occur with jaw masses?

Most abnormal jaw growths are slow growing and painless. When they do cause pain, it is usually because they have become infected or they have grown to a significantly large size. 

They can, over time, cause teeth to move and loosen, and also weaken your jaw bone which in some extreme cases can lead to jaw fracture. 

Other jaw growths can grow quite rapidly and can cause pain and swelling due to the rapid growth. 

They can also compress nerves which can result in numbness of your lips, gums or teeth.

How do you treat cysts and tumours?

The treatment is based on clinical examination and radiographic findings and sometimes, if indicated, on an initial incisional biopsy (removal of a small amount of the growth to analyze what type of growth it is).

Once all the necessary information has been collected. Your surgeon will discuss the various treatment options available to you.

Slow growing, well demarcated cysts and tumours can be managed with smaller operations, while larger, faster growing and more aggressive growths need bigger operations.

Types of surgical treatments available:

Excision (enucleation)

• this involves completed removal of the cyst or tumour, and it is sometimes necessary to remove a margin of bone. If needed, any bone cavities can be filled during the same procedure.

Resection (partial removal of the jaw bone)

• this means that the whole cyst or tumour is removed along with a piece of your jawbone. It may also be necessary to remove teeth that are in the area of the growth and sometimes also the gum or oral mucosa. The aggressive approach is done to ensure the entire growth is removed with little to no chance of recurrence.
• The jaw is sometimes stabilized with titanium plates and screws.
• The jaw can also be immediately reconstructed with a bone graft from your hip or lower leg.

If you would like more information on removing a jaw cyst or tumour, please feel free to contact us or book an appointment.