AIM: A tooth is considered impacted if its eruption is prevented by other teeth, bone or soft tissues. Excluding third molars, maxillary canines have the highest rate of impaction. Dentigerous cysts are classified as developmental odontogenic cysts. They are among the most common slow-growing developmental odontogenic cysts in the jaw region. They are most frequently observed in the second and third decades of life and are more common in male patients. They are typically associated with impacted teeth, especially mandibular third molars and maxillary canines. Most are asymptomatic and are discovered incidentally during routine radiographic examinations. They are discovered when they reach large sizes and cause destruction of the surrounding cortical bone or displacement of adjacent teeth. Radiographically, they usually appear as unilocular radiolucent lesions. This slow-growing cyst often expands and extends the outer cortical border of the affected jaw. As cyst grow, they can cause destruction or fractures in the jaw.

CASE: A 57-year-old male patient with no systemic disease was applied to our clinic complaint that his maxillary denture was small. In the intraoral examination, it was observed enlargement of the anterior alveolar region of the maxilla. In the radiographic examination, teeth number 13, 23 and 33 were observed as impacted. Cone-beam computed tomography revealed a radiolucent lesion with well-defined radiopaque borders surrounding the crowns of teeth 13 and 23, causing expansion in the buccal and palatal cortical bone. The lesion was referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery with a preliminary diagnosis of a dentigerous cyst. The result of the pathological examination was dentigerous cyst consistent with the clinical prediagnosis.

CONCLUSION: In this case report, it was discussed that impacted teeth are predisposing factors for cystic formations. Dentigerous cysts, which are usually asymptomatic and incidentally discovered during radiographic examination, can become symptomatic and can require removal if they expand or become infected.

Keywords: Dentigerous, cyst, impacted, canine