Global prevalence of odontogenic cysts: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Odontogenic cysts constitute a common group of lesions affecting the jaws and represent a relevant clinical and epidemiological burden in oral and maxillofacial practice. Their occurrence varies across populations, and understanding global prevalence patterns is essential for improving diagnosis, treatment planning, and public health strategies. However, an updated synthesis of prevalence data across different regions remains limited. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted following a predefined methodology, with a comprehensive search of PubMed, EBSCOhost, and Web of Science for studies published between 2000 and 2024. Eligible studies included observational designs (retrospective and and cross-sectional studies) that reported the prevalence of odontogenic cysts according to the WHO classification, with sufficient demographic and diagnostic data. Case reports, narrative reviews, and studies with small sample sizes or incomplete datasets were excluded. The PRISMA 2020 guidelines were applied to ensure transparent and complete reporting of the review process. Risk of bias was independently assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) tailored for prevalence and frequency studies. RESULTS: Of 445 records initially identified, 17 studies comprising large institutional and population-based samples met the inclusion criteria after screening and quality assessment. The studies originated from multiple continents, with retrospective designs predominating. The calculated global prevalence of odontogenic cysts was 13.8%. Radicular cysts were the most prevalent subtype, followed by dentigerous cysts. Risk of bias assessment indicated that most studies demonstrated low to moderate risk, primarily related to retrospective design and variability in diagnostic reporting. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate marked geographic variability in the prevalence and distribution of odontogenic cysts, underscoring the influence of diagnostic practices and reporting standards. These results highlight the need for standardized classification, uniform reporting protocols, and high-quality epidemiological studies to enhance comparability across regions and support evidence-based clinical and public health decision-making.