Clinical and radiologic behaviour of ameloblastoma in 4 cases.

Ameloblastoma is a benign but locally aggressive epithelial odontogenic neoplasm. It represents 1% of all tumours of the jaw bone. In 80% of cases, it is localized in the mandibular molar and ascending ramus area, mostly associated with an unerupted tooth. It occurs over a wide range of ages (mean age is in the 20s or 30s) and with equal frequency in men and women. Ameloblastoma may be discovered during a routine radiographic examination or as a clinically observed developing mass. It has a characteristic, but not diagnostic, radiographic appearance. It can be treated by enucleation, bone curettage or wide resection. The rate of local recurrence is high when it is treated inadequately. We describe the clinical and radiologic behaviour of ameloblastoma and discuss treatment protocols and the possibility of conservative management of this tumour. Our results suggest the importance of long-term follow-up with various radiographic techniques.