Oral cysts can have several different causes. Some are associated with the emergence of a wisdom tooth or complications from untreated periodontal disease. In other cases, a cyst can form in conjunction with a tooth suffering from a large, untreated cavity that has penetrated the enamel layer of a tooth within the gums.

It’s worth noting that an oral cyst, even one that forms in the gums, is different from an abscess. Cysts are slow to develop and sometimes don’t have a direct infection associated with them. An abscess is an acute pocket of infected material that can pose a very serious threat to your oral and overall health in a very short amount of time.

In some cases, a minor oral cyst might be treatable by having Dr. Chi prescribe a course of antibiotics. If an oral cyst is large or causes pain or pressure or if it clearly harbors bacteria, then he might recommend a surgical extraction.

This treatment can often be performed in a single outpatient appointment. A small oral cyst near the gumline or other minimally invasive location might only require Dr. Chi to numb the local area with Novocain. If the cyst is large or deep in the gums or if there are other potential complications, he might recommend full sedation for your comfort.

If you need to be fully sedated, you will still feel some postoperative sedation. This will require you to be driven home by a friend or family member.

After the extraction, Dr. Chi might recommend taking a course of prescription antibiotics, anti-inflammatory or pain-management medication.

If you have an area of discomfort in your gums and you think it might be an oral cyst in Manchester, Connecticut, you should call (860) 644-0099 to schedule a consultation at Buckland Hills Dental.