Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Dentigerous cysts are among the most common odontogenic cysts, with a postoperative recurrence rate of approximately 5 %-15 %. Large dentigerous cysts present significant clinical challenges due to extensive lesions and severe bone destruction, often resulting in inadequate bone volume and poor soft-tissue conditions for subsequent implant restoration. CASE PRESENTATION: A 71-year-old male presented with a history of a giant right mandibular dentigerous cyst diagnosed 12 years prior, treated by affected tooth extraction and cyst marsupialization (windowing drainage). The subsequent edentulous site underwent root canal therapy for the involved tooth, followed by extraction due to vertical root fracture, and finally dental implant restoration, achieving stable occlusion. A 7-year follow-up confirmed no cyst recurrence and satisfactory implant stability. DISCUSSION: Successful dental implantation in cured cyst sites requires reconstructing sufficient bone tissue with minimal trauma. Key considerations include lesion size/characteristics, surgical history, and patient age to mitigate complications like osseointegration failure, inflammation, or infection. CONCLUSION: For jaw cysts with significant bone defects, dental implantation remains the optimal treatment for missing teeth when the lesion is resolved, favorable periodontal conditions and adequate bone regeneration are achieved, and guidelines are followed after thorough individual risk-benefit assessment.