Odontogenic keratocyst: An incidental finding during an orthodontic examination

For all orthodontic patients, a detailed clinical examination is essential to obtain the correct diagnosis before the formulation of an orthodontic treatment plan. Additional information may be required from radiographs in order to supplement this clinical examination. While orthodontists principally prescribe dental panoramic tomographs for orthodontic patients to confirm the presence, position and morphology of unerupted teeth, the absence or presence of disease within the supporting structures may be overlooked. This case report presents one such instance where the pre-orthodontic radiographic examination of a young male patient revealed the presence of an asymptomatic odontogenic keratocyst in the right posterior body of the mandible. This case report discusses how this incidental finding was diagnosed, managed and how its surgical treatment subsequently affected the orthodontic management of the patient. Furthermore, this case highlights the importance of undertaking a thorough and systematic approach when analysing any prescribed radiographs, in order to reduce the risk of overlooking any evidence of underlying disease.