Ameloblastoma (circumscribed) .

  • Benign but locally aggressive odontogenic tumor. It normally grows slowly as a painless swelling of the affected side.
  • It may occur at any age, but usually in individuals 30 – 60 years old.
  • It invades locally the surrounding bone.
  • 85% of ameloblastomas are located in the mandible (posterior region and ramus). In the maxilla usually are found  in the premolar or molar area.
  • When the  lesion is small usually appears as a unilocular radiolucency. Larger lesions may become multilocular (with soap bubble or honeycomb appearance).
  • The adjacent teeth are often displaced and resorbed.
  • The lesion causes extensive bone expansion, thinning and destruction of the  cortical plates and often, erosion or destruction of the mandibular lower border.
  • Incomplete removal of the lesion may result in recurrences.

Differential Diagnosis

Case 1

Unilocular ameloblastoma of the left posterior region of the maxilla

Case 2

Cystic ameloblastoma in a female 38 years old