K04: Diseases of pulp and periapical tissues

K04.8: Radicular cyst

Every tooth has a hollow interior. Connective tissue such as nerves and blood vessels is found inside a tooth. Through its interior, a tooth is formed and sustained.

Every tooth consists of 3 sections: the crown, the tooth neck (cervix) and the tooth root. The crown is the visible part of the tooth. The tooth neck is covered by the gums. The tooth root keeps the tooth in the jawbone. The tooth is anchored firmly in the jawbone by the periodontal ligament. This ligament includes, among other things, the outermost layer of the tooth root and the gums. The periodontal ligament also includes the hole in the jawbone in which the tooth is located.

If the periodontal ligament is inflamed over a considerable time, the inside of the tooth can die. In that case, the jawbone may disintegrate at that point. As a result, you have developed a cavity in your jawbone. The cavity has formed near the tooth root.

If a cavity has formed in the jawbone, teeth may sometimes become loose. It is also possible that other teeth will be pushed through the cavity.