A cyst associated with the crown of an impacted molar is likely which type of cyst?

A cyst associated with the crown of an impacted molar is most accurately identified as a dentigerous cyst. This type of cyst forms around the crown of an unerupted tooth, particularly wisdom teeth (third molars) and canines, and is the most common odontogenic cyst.

Dentigerous cysts develop from the follicle of an unerupted tooth and are typically asymptomatic, often discovered incidentally on radiographic examination. The cyst manifests radiographically as a well-defined, unilocular radiolucency surrounding the tooth's crown, which distinguishes it from other types of dental cysts.

Understanding the characteristics of dentigerous cysts is crucial in clinical practice, especially in diagnosing and planning surgical interventions for impacted teeth. The association of a cyst with the crown of an impacted molar points directly to this specific type of cyst, confirming its role in the context of dental pathology.