Primary tumors of the jaws in children.

Reports on primary tumors of the jaw in children are infrequent. This article reports 24 cases of primary tumors and tumor-like conditions of the jaws in children. All varieties of odontogenic and nonodontogenic tumors are seen in the jaw; fibro-osseous lesions are the most common. A possible explanation for the high incidence of mesenchymal lesions in children may be related to the shedding and eruption of teeth. The differences between childhood and adult types of ameloblastomas are highlighted.