Bilateral Dentigerous Cysts in a Dog

Dentigerous cysts are infrequently seen in veterinary medicine, but the consequences of an undiagnosed dentigerous cyst can be severe. Dentigerous cysts, that can be sub-classified as eruption or follicular, are a type of benign odontogenic cyst. They can cause significant bony and dental destruction associated with expansion if they remain undiagnosed for a period of time. Dentigerous cysts are secondary to embedded or impacted teeth, however not every impacted tooth subsequently forms a dentigerous cyst. Intraoral dental radiographs are necessary to differentiate a missing tooth from an impacted tooth. This case demonstrates the successful surgical management of a dog with bilateral impacted mandibular canine teeth, with secondary dentigerous cyst formation.