A broken crown may have turned out to be a painful blessing for Chris McKenna.

The former General Hospital actor recently went to the dentist to have a broken crown repaired, expecting a routine fix. Instead, an X-ray revealed a spot that led to a far more serious discovery: a cyst that McKenna said had 'eaten away' at his jawbone.

Now, the 56-year-old actor is facing emergency surgery and a bone graft. McKenna shared the news on X on 5 October alongside an image of his dental X-ray, explaining that the problem was discovered while his broken crown was being repaired.

He said the cyst needed to be removed and that surgeons would also have to repair the damaged bone.

Despite the frightening news, McKenna found a reason to be grateful. 'Good thing I broke that tooth!' he wrote, adding that the procedure would hurt but that he was 'lucky we caught it'. He later joked that weeks on pain medication could make his social media posts particularly entertaining.

How Can a Jaw Cyst Go Undetected?

Jaw cysts are fluid-filled cavities that can form in the jawbone. Different types can occur, and their causes, behaviour and treatment vary. McKenna has not publicly identified the specific type he has.

Some can cause few or no symptoms, particularly when they are small, which means they may only be spotted when a patient has an X-ray for another reason. NHS guidance notes that jaw cysts can often be detected on X-rays and may sometimes cause swelling or pain.


A 2026 article in the British Dental Journal noted that jaw cysts are often detected incidentally during routine dental examinations. While many remain asymptomatic, larger or more aggressive cysts can cause complications such as tooth displacement, jaw fractures and nerve damage.

That makes McKenna's experience particularly striking. The broken crown repair prompted the X-ray that led to the cyst being discovered.

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What Happens When a Jaw Cyst Damages Bone?

Treatment depends on the type, size and location of the cyst and the damage it has caused. Surgery may involve removing the cyst itself, while larger defects can require additional procedures to help restore the jawbone.

McKenna said his treatment will include a bone graft, although further details about the procedure have not been disclosed.

Bone grafting can involve placing bone or a bone-substitute material into an area where bone has been lost, providing a framework for new bone growth. The exact approach depends on the individual patient's needs.

When Should You See a Dentist?

McKenna's story is not a reason to panic about every dental X-ray. Most dental problems will not lead to a discovery this serious.

But persistent jaw swelling, unexplained pain, changes around the teeth, numbness or other unusual symptoms should be assessed by a dental professional. Some jaw cysts can remain silent until they become larger, which is one reason routine dental examinations and X-rays can sometimes reveal problems before they cause obvious symptoms.

For McKenna, an ordinary broken crown unexpectedly uncovered a problem that had already damaged part of his jaw. Now, the actor is preparing for surgery while taking some comfort from the fact that the cyst was found before it could cause further damage.

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