AMELOBLASTOMA OF THE MANDIBLE

Ameloblastoma

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Ameloblastoma (previously called Adamantinoma) is an uncommon locally aggressive tumour arising from odontogenic epithelium consisting of cells called ameloblasts forming the inner most layer of enamel organ [1]. Ameloblastoma histologically resembles the embryonic enamel organ but does not differentiate to the point of forming dental hard tissue. It has a high tendency to recur and may metastasize or even undergo malignant transformation. It accounts for only one percent of all oral tumours and behaves as a slowly growing expansile radiolucent tumour, and occurs most commonly in the mandible (80 %), especially at the mandibular angle in molar-ramus area [2].