Dentigerous cysts are one of the most common odontogenic cysts of the jaws, being associated with the crowns of permanent teeth, especially unerupted mandibular third molars. Bilateral and multiple cysts are usually found in connection with a number of syndromes that include cleidocranial dysplasia and Gorlin syndrome. In the absence of these syndromes, multiple dentigerous cysts are rare. Dentigerous cysts are the second most common odontogenic cysts after radicular ones, accounting for approximately 24% of all true cysts of the jaws. This paper presents an unusual case of a huge odontogenic cyst in a 49-year-old man associated with mandibular impacted premolars. During the last 30 years a similar case was observed in our material only once. They are randomly diagnosed in routine dental radiographs. The patients do not usually report pain or discomfort. Clinical examination reveals a missing tooth or teeth, facial asymmetry and a lesion of the bone which predisposes to pathologic fracture.

Key words: mandibular cysts, dentigerous cysts.