Not every swelling in the jaw is an abscess and not every white patch in the mouth is harmless. The jaws are unique in the body because they contain teeth, and the tissues that form teeth can give rise to cysts and tumours found nowhere else, from the common radicular cyst at the tip of a dead tooth to ameloblastoma, a benign but locally aggressive tumour that can hollow out a jaw. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained to recognise these on a radiograph, confirm them by biopsy and remove them completely while preserving as much jaw and nerve as possible.
Is this treatment for you?
Consider a consultation about jaw cysts, tumours & oral pathology if you have:
- A swelling of the jaw or face that is growing
- A dark shadow or "bubble" on a dental X-ray
- A mouth ulcer that has not healed in two weeks
- A white, red or speckled patch inside the mouth
- Loose teeth without gum disease
- Numbness of the lip or chin with no injury
- Difficulty opening the mouth in a paan or gutka user
Cysts of the jaw
Radicular and residual cysts arise from infected teeth; dentigerous cysts form around unerupted teeth, often wisdom teeth; odontogenic keratocysts grow along the jaw and have a tendency to recur if not fully removed. Treatment ranges from enucleation (complete removal of the cyst lining) to marsupialisation, where a large cyst is opened and allowed to shrink before definitive surgery, sparing important structures.
Benign tumours
Ameloblastoma, odontogenic myxoma, ossifying fibroma and giant cell lesions are among the tumours of the jaw we treat. Depending on the type, treatment is curettage, peripheral ostectomy or segmental resection with reconstruction using bone plates and grafts. Dr Sadia Paiker has presented on the management of odontogenic myxoma at the International OMFS Conference.
Oral cancer and pre-cancer
Pakistan has one of the highest rates of oral cancer in the world, driven by paan, gutka, naswar, chalia and smoking. White patches (leukoplakia), red patches (erythroplakia), a non-healing ulcer lasting more than two weeks, a lump or a stiff, restricted mouth (oral submucous fibrosis) all need examination and often a biopsy. Early-stage oral cancer is highly curable; late-stage is not. Dr Zaki Mehdi has published on the factors linked to early detection of oral and pharyngeal cancer and manages oral cancer as part of his hospital practice, coordinating with head and neck, radiation and medical oncology teams.
Biopsy and histopathology
An incisional biopsy removes a small piece of a lesion for the pathologist; an excisional biopsy removes the whole lesion when it is small. Both are done under local anaesthesia in the clinic in fifteen to twenty minutes. Results typically return in five to seven working days and are discussed with you in person.
What happens, step by step
- 1
Examination & imaging
Clinical assessment, OPG and CBCT; CT or MRI if the lesion is large or suspicious.
- 2
Biopsy
Tissue diagnosis under local anaesthesia before any major surgery is planned.
- 3
Definitive surgery
In clinic for small lesions; in hospital under general anaesthesia for large cysts, tumours or cancer.
- 4
Follow-up
Radiographic review for several years, as some lesions can recur.
Recovery and aftercare
Recovery depends entirely on the size and site of the lesion. Small cyst removals feel like an extraction. Larger jaw resections involve a hospital stay, a soft diet and staged reconstruction. In every case you will know exactly what to expect before you agree to treatment.
Common questions
Is a jaw cyst cancer?
No. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs and are benign, but they enlarge slowly, weaken the jaw and can become infected, so they still need removal.
I chew paan or use naswar. Should I be checked?
Yes, at least once a year, and immediately if you notice a patch, ulcer or tightness. Screening takes ten minutes and is painless.
Will a biopsy make a cancer spread?
No. This is a common fear but biopsy does not spread cancer. Delaying diagnosis is what allows it to spread.
What this costs
Fees depend on the complexity of your case, the materials used and whether preparatory work such as grafting is needed. You receive a written, itemised estimate after your examination, before any treatment begins.
Medically reviewed by Dr Syed Muhammad Zaki Mehdi, BDS, FCPS (OMFS), CHPE, C-Implantology, Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon. Last reviewed 16 September 2026. This page is general information and does not replace an examination.