Prevalence of benign intra-osseous odontogenic and non-odontogenic cysts and tumors in patients referring to Isfahan Faculty of Dentistry and Al-Zahra Hospital (1995-2010)

Introduction: Benign tumors and cysts of jaws comprise a complicated group of lesions characterized by various histologic and clinical manifestations, with odontogenic or non-odontogenic origins. These cysts are more common than other bone cysts and can give rise to pathologic jaw fractures. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence and frequency of benign non-odontogenic and odontogenic cysts and tumors in Isfahan Faculty of Dentistry and Al-Zahra Hospital during the past fifteen years. Materials and Methods: A total of 246 files in relation to odontogenic and non-odontogenic tumors and cysts in the Departments of Surgery and Pathology in the Faculty of Dentistry and those in the Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Al-Zahra Hospital, Isfahan, Iran, were evaluated. Data was analyzed and compared using SPSS software (α=0.05). Results: There were 187 cases of odontogenic and 9 cases of non-odontogenic cysts, and also 47 odontogenic and 3 non-odontogenic tumors. While odontogenic cysts were more prevalent in 16-30 year-old males, non-odontogenic cysts were equally distributed between males and females in all age groups. Non-odontogenic tumors were more prevalent in middle-aged women. Conclusion: Odontogenic cysts were significantly more prevalent compared to odontogenic tumors, with the highest prevalence rate (p value = 0.048).  Odontogenic tumors, non-odontogenic cysts, and non-odontogenic tumors were less common in descending order. There was a significant increase in the number of patient referrals during the third 5-year period evaluated.   Key words: Odontogenic cyst; Odontogenic tumor; Non-odontogenic cyst; Non-odontogenic tumor.