OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare odontogenic keratocysts associated with and not associated with an impacted mandibular third molar. STUDY DESIGN: Panoramic radiographs of odontogenic keratocysts associated with impacted mandibular third molars (15 cysts, associated group) were compared with radiographs of odontogenic keratocysts not associated with impacted mandibular third molars (25 cysts, nonassociated group). The radiographic images were analyzed with reference to the patients' age and sex. RESULTS: The mean age of patients in the associated group was lower than that of patients in the nonassociated group. The mean area of the cysts in the associated group was larger than that of those in the nonassociated group. The patients' ages did not significantly correlate to the areas of either kind of cyst. CONCLUSIONS: The odontogenic keratocysts in the associated group had a tendency toward rapid growth in the patients' youth.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare odontogenic keratocysts associated with and not associated with an impacted mandibular third molar. STUDY DESIGN: Panoramic radiographs of odontogenic keratocysts associated with impacted mandibular third molars (15 cysts, associated group) were compared with radiographs of odontogenic keratocysts not associated with impacted mandibular third molars (25 cysts, nonassociated group). The radiographic images were analyzed with reference to the patients' age and sex. RESULTS: The mean age of patients in the associated group was lower than that of patients in the nonassociated group. The mean area of the cysts in the associated group was larger than that of those in the nonassociated group. The patients' ages did not significantly correlate to the areas of either kind of cyst. CONCLUSIONS: The odontogenic keratocysts in the associated group had a tendency toward rapid growth in the patients' youth.