Resident Review: Odontogenic Cysts and Tumors (with Dr. Ben Hechler)

When dental cells are left behind from the tooth development process, there is a possibility that they will eventually begin to proliferate and cause odontogenic cysts and tumors. Dr. Ben Hechler is back on the show today to do a deep dive into the causes, diagnosing strategies, and treatments of these afflictions. As Ben explains today, there are not a lot of risk factors that are strongly correlated with the development of odontogenic cysts and tumors, other than systemic inflammation, which is part of the reason why they are a cause of major frustration for people who develop them. Tune in today to enhance your understanding of the different types of odontogenic cysts and tumors that exist, factors that will help you differentiate between a tumor and a cyst, a breakdown of how to nucleate and curettage an odontogenic cyst, and lots more! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Ben explains how odontogenic cysts and tumors form.
• The difference between a tumor and a cyst. 
• The lack of clarity around the risk factors for the development of odontogenic cysts and tumors.
• The correlation between inflammation and odontogenic cysts and tumors.
• Benefits of removing third molars. 
• The most common types of odontogenic cysts and tumors. 
• How the majority of odontogenic cysts and tumors are found. 
• Factors that are indicative of an odontogenic cysts or tumors.
• How treatment approaches vary between different types of odontogenic cysts and tumors.
• Ben explains how to diagnose odontogenic cysts and tumors.
• How to decide whether or not to do a biopsy.
• A breakdown of how to nucleate and curettage an odontogenic cyst. 
• Ben’s approach to treating OKC’s that were previously thought to be dentigerous cysts. 
• Why a recurring cyst should be treated differently to a once-off. 
• The difference between imaging strategies for cysts and tumors. 
• Symptoms that are indicative of a tumor rather than a cyst.
• Conventional management versus contemporary management of ameloblastomas.
• The esoteric nature of the field of odontogenic cysts and tumors and where to go to learn more. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Ben Hechler on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-hechler/ 

‘The World Health Organization Classification of Odontogenic Lesions: A Summary of the Changes of the 2022 (5th) Edition’ — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35578902/ 

Bruno Chrcanovic on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/brunochrcanovic/

Ricardo Gomez on Twitter — https://twitter.com/ricardosgomez 

Everyday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/ 

Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/ 

Everyday Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/EverydayOralSurgery/

Dr. Grant Stucki Email — grantstucki@gmail.com

Dr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059