Interest of decompression in orthodontics: Case report of a keratocyst during childhood

Summary Keratocysts, also known as keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KCOT), make up 7% of all odontogenic cysts and develop asymptomatically in most cases. Enucleation is the benchmark treatment. However, there are surgical alternatives. Marsupialization and decompression are necessary in some cases, mainly when the KCOT is large, thus causing an increased risk of bone fracture, or if it has engulfed important elements such as the inferior alveolar nerve or teeth, consequently causing alveolar bone growth failure. The authors describe the case of a nine-year-old child treated for a large keratocyst situated in sector 4 (lower right jaw), impacting both premolars and the canine (45, 44 and 43). Surgical decompression associated with orthodontic multiband treatment were delivered to pull, and then place the three teeth in occlusion on the dental arch. With seven years hindsight since the first surgical procedure and three years since finishing orthodontic treatment, the cooperation between orthodontists and surgeons can be considered a success, from both the functional and esthetic points of view.