Surgical simulation for dentigerous cyst in the maxillary sinus using full-color 3D salt modeling: Report of a case

Dentigerous cysts are one type of odontogenic cyst frequently associated with impacted teeth. If a cyst is formed in the maxillary sinus by the opposing buried tooth, surgery accompanied by sinus fenestration is required. We describe a case of surgical simulation for a dentigerous cyst in the maxillary sinus using full-color 3D salt modeling. A 23-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for further examination of an impacted tooth in the left maxillary sinus. Panoramic radiography and computed tomography (CT) examinations revealed an impacted third molar tooth and a cystic lesion in the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus. A full 3D salt model was constructed based on the CT data, and surgical simulation was performed. Thereafter, the patient received cystectomy through the anterior approach and extraction of the impacted tooth in the same manner as the surgical simulation. The 3D salt model may be useful for reducing trauma in surgery for intra-maxillary sinus odontogenic cysts, and restoration of the mucosa and bony wall.