A 3.5-year-old captive white-faced saki (Pithecia pithecia) was presented with a mandibular swelling. Maxillofacial CT and intra-oral dental radiography revealed several dental abnormalities, including a cystic lesion associated with an unerupted right mandibular canine. Marsupialisation was first performed to obtain a biopsy and reduce the lesion, with histopathology confirming a dentigerous cyst. After three months, repeat CT showed sufficient bone healing to allow safe definitive surgery. The impacted canine was then extracted using piezoelectric surgery, followed by curettage of the cystic cavity, a minimally invasive approach that helped preserve surrounding tissues. Follow-up combining CT and dental radiography confirmed complete healing six months later. This appears to be the first reported case of a dentigerous cyst in a white-faced saki.
This case illustrates the value of a stepwise approach combining imaging, marsupialisation, and advanced surgical techniques. It also highlights the importance of thorough dental examinations in non-human primates and comparative assessment showed that CT was superior to radiography for evaluating bone healing, whereas radiography provided higher image definition.