Odontogenic Tumors

Question 1

Describe in general, odontogenic tumors?

Answer 1

Rare
Benign (only 1% malignant)
Asymptomatic
Commonly within the bone of the jaw

Question 2

What structures can odontogenic tumors arise from?

Answer 2

Rests of Malassez
Rest/glands of Serres
Reduced enamel epithelium

Question 3

Give three examples of odontogenic tumor, and where they arise from.

Answer 3

Ameloblastoma (epithelial)
Odontogenic myxoma (mesenchymal)
Odontoma (mixed)

Question 4

What management is there for odontogenic tumors?

Answer 4

Surgical resection with a margin
Recurrence relatively common
<1% risk of malignancy

Question 5

How can odontogenic tumours present on a radiograph?

Answer 5

Entirely radiolucent
Mixed
Entirely radiopaque

And can vary as tumor progresses

Question 6

What complications can odontogenic tumors pose?

Answer 6

Pain
Infection
Pathological jaw fracture
Malignancy risk (however this is low)

Question 7

What is a compound odontoma?

Answer 7

Ordered dental structures
May appear as multiple mini teeth

Question 8

What is a complex odontoma?

Answer 8

Disordered mass of dental tissues, more common in posterior body of mandible.

Question 9

What is an ameloblastoma?

Answer 9

A benign slow growing painless epithelial tumor.
More common in males, 80% occur in posterior mandible.