An Aggressive Orthokeratinized Odontogenic Cyst of the Mandible: A Case Report

Orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst (OOC) is a developmental cyst that occurs in the jaw. it was initially defined by the world health organization as the orthokeratinized variant of odontogenic keratocyst (OKC). However, studies have shown that OOC has a peculiar clinicopathologic aspects when compared with other developmental odontogenic cysts, especially OKC's. The orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst is a distinct clinicopathologic entity and is histologically characterized by a thin, uniform, epithelial lining with orthokeratinization. Clinically, the orthokeratinized cyst is a single cyst, shows a predilection for males, and is most often found in the second to the fifth decade. It is not a dentigerous cyst but is often mistaken for a dentigerous cyst because of its association with unerrupted or impacted tooth in the posterior mandible. It exhibits lower clinical aggressiveness compared to its counterpart OKC. The purpose of the article is to present a case of large aggressive OOC in the anterior mandible and to highlight the importance of, distinguishing it from the more commonly occurring OKC or keratocystic odontogenic tumour (KCOT).