Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Odontogenic tumours are lesions derived from the epithelial and/ or mesenchymal elements of the tooth forming apparatus and are therefore found exclusively within the jaw bones. Histologically, they may resemble soft tissues of the enamel organ or dental pulp, or they may contain hard tissue elements of enamel, dentine, and/ or cementum. Lesions in this group range from hamartomatous proliferations to malignant neoplasms with metastatic capabilities. An understanding of the biologic behaviour of the various odontogenic tumours is fundamentally important to the overall treatment of patients. This review discusses the pathogenesis of odontogenic tumours of epithelial origin: Ameloblastoma, Squamous odontogenic tumour, Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumour and Adenomatoid odontogenic tumour.