Mandibular infected buccal cyst and paradental cyst: the same or separate entities?

The WHO classification of odontogenic cysts includes the radicular (residual) and paradental (inflammatory collateral; mandibular infected buccal) cysts as inflammatory odontogenic cysts. Because the paradental group of inflammatory cysts may clinically cause diagnostic and therapeutic problems when they are associated with first and second molar teeth it was decided to review the literature and present an additional case. The aetiology and histological features of the inflammatory collateral cyst, the paradental cyst and the mandibular infected buccal cyst are identical and the differences that exist in their clinical and radiological presentation can be related to the different teeth that are involved and the difference in the ages at which these teeth erupt. These cysts represent the same entity and their treatment is dependent on the tooth involved. With the aid of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) the distinction between a paradental cyst on the buccal aspect of a molar tooth and a periodontitis can be made.