Spontaneous bone regeneration after enucleation of large mandibular cysts:A radiographic computed analysis of 27 consecutive cases

Purpose: This study evaluated the spontaneous bone healing after enucleatio n of large mandibular cysts subjectively and with a computed analysis of po stoperative panoramic radiograph. Patients and Methods: Twenty-nine patients had large mandibular cysts treat ed by surgical enucleation. Postoperative clinical and radiographic examina tions were performed at 6, 12, and 24 months in 27 patients. Bone regenerat ion and reduction of the residual cavities and bone density were evaluated with a computed analysis of preoperative and postoperative panoramic radiog raphs. A subjective and clinical radiographic evaluation of the healing pro cess also was performed. Results: Uneventful healing and spontaneous filling of the residual cavitie s was obtained in all cases. The computed analysis of the postoperative rad iographs 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. Conclusion: Spontaneous bone regeneration can occur in large mandibular cys ts without the aid of any filling materials. This simplifies the surgical p rocedure, decreases the economic and biologic costs, and reduces the risk o f postoperative complications. (C) 2000 American Association of Oral and Ma xillofacial Surgeons.