Pattern of Cystic Lesion of the Jaws on Radiographs in Patients Reported Reporting to Saidu College of Dentistry, Swat

Background: Jaw cystic lesions are a significant concern in dental practice, often leading to functional and aesthetic complications if not identified and treated promptly. Objective: To determine the pattern and location of jaw cystic lesions on radiograph.Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted at Saidu College of Dentistry analyzed 137 panoramic radiographs with cystic lesions. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Radiographs were selected using non-probability consecutive sampling and classified based on clear operational definitions. Data on demographics and lesion characteristics were recorded. Statistical analysis included descriptive measures, stratification by gender and location, and chi-square testing.Results: The mean age was 37.7 ± 15.6 years with 56.9% males. Radicular cysts were the most common (47.45%), followed by dentigerous cysts (32.12%), odontogenic keratocysts (18.98%), and eruption cysts (1.46%). Radicular cysts were mainly found in the anterior maxilla and mandible, dentigerous cysts in the mandibular angle, and odontogenic keratocysts in the mandible body. Eruption cysts were exclusive to the posterior maxilla. Gender distribution was not significant (p = 0.89), but lesion location showed statistical significance (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Radicular cysts are the most common cystic lesions, particularly in the anterior maxilla and mandible. Clinicians should be aware of the distinct patterns of jaw cystic lesions to ensure early diagnosis and effective management, minimizing morbidityKeywords: Dentigerous cyst, Eruption cyst, Jaw cysts, Odontogenic keratocyst, Panoramic radiographs, Radicular cyst.