X-ray imaging of odontogenic tumors

Odontogenic tumors are predominantly benign tumors arising from cells of dental origin. Like odontogenic cysts, they have a frequent tendency to relapse. Exceptionally, they can malign. We monitor the dentist during the entire replacement period. If we find swelling, bowing teeth, gaps, we make OPG. Based on X-ray imaging, but also on clinical examination, we cannot establish an exact diagnosis, and therefore a histological examination is necessary. With early diagnosis, we can prevent the growth of tumors.

'During tooth development, we find the following types of cells: See the Tooth Development page for more details.
 * 1) epithelial cells – ameloblasts, dental ridge cells, epithelium of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity
 * 2) ectomesenchymal cells – odontoblasts, cementoblasts
 * 3) mesenchymal cells – fibrocytes, vascular endothelium, osteocytes, chondrocytes
 * 4) neuroectodermal cells - neuroblasts, Schwann cells, melanocytes

Ameloblastoma
(Adamantine)
 * the most common odontogenic tumor
 * very often in the area of the lower molars
 * upper jaw rarely
 * 3rd, 4th decade

See Ameloblastoma for more information.

X-ray image

 * mostly multilocular - bubble clearing with thin septa
 * less often unilocular - often involve a tooth
 * rarely a honeycomb-like structure with more pronounced septa
 * may push away teeth, mandibular canal or maxillary cavity

Ameloblastic fibroma
See Ameloblastic fibroma for more information.
 * lower jaw molars
 * no relapses
 * 1st, 2nd decade
 * possible malignant reversal - always histological examination

X-ray image

 * especially unilocular
 * can push back teeth and mandibular canal
 * can be confused with cyst or ameloblastoma

Ameloblastic fibroodontoma

 * lower jaw molars
 * contains enamel
 * often together with a retained tooth
 * pushes the channel
 * childhood, especially boys
 * rarely malignant

X-ray image

 * indistinguishable from compound odontoma

Odontogenic myxoma

 * fast growth
 * frequent recurrences
 * mainly lower jaw - angle, shoulder, molar area

X-ray image

 * sharply defined irregular brightening
 * soft shading

Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor

 * especially the molar, premolar area of the lower jaw

X-ray image

 * at first a sharply defined clarification
 * can be together with a retained tooth
 * changes to oval shading over time
 * presses the mandibular canal
 * disrupts the compact

Odontoms
See the Odontom page for more details.
 * benign tumor containing all components of the tooth
 * we distinguish between compound and complex odontoma

Compound odontoma

 * especially the frontal section of both jaws
 * consists of several teeth of different sizes
 * 2. decade
 * manifests gaps and pruning disorder

X-ray image

 * we can distinguish the developmental stage of the teeth
 * developed teeth have an enamel cap

Complex odontoma

 * irregular jumble of dental tissues
 * angle of the lower jaw, tubercles

X-ray image

 * irregular shading bordered by brightening

Cementom
See Cementom for more details.
 * corresponds to cement in structure
 * distal section of the lower jaw
 * connected to the roots of the teeth
 * 2nd, 3rd decade

X-ray image

 * at first lightening in the area of the tooth root
 * later shading with a brightening border