What causes odontoma?

Odontomas have been extensively reported in the dental literature, and the term refers to tumors of odontogenic origin. Though the exact etiology is still unknown, the postulated causes include: local trauma, infection, inheritance and genetic mutation.

Is an odontoma cancerous?

Odontomas are not cancer. They are considered benign tumors, though in humans they are often surgically removed.

What is associated with odontoma?

Odontomas are benign tumors containing various component tissues of teeth. They usually remain asymptomatic and are diagnosed on routine radiographs. Clinically, they are often associated with delayed eruption or impaction of permanent teeth and retained primary teeth.

Where is odontoma found?

Odontomas are slow-growing, asymptomatic neoplasms found in jaws. In about 80% of cases, they are associated with impacted or unerupted teeth. Radiographically, odontomas present as a well-circumscribed radiolucency resembling a dental follicle or dentigerous cyst. Rarely, an odontoma may erupt into the oral cavity.

How do you remove an odontoma?

Odontoma requires surgical removal and following surgery, the adjacent impacted tooth may spontaneously erupt; otherwise, a surgical-orthodontic treatment is necessary. When an odontoma is associated with a tooth aplasia, an orthodontic space-closure may be the appropriate treatment option.

Can odontoma come back?

Odontoma requires surgical removal via local excision. The clinical diagnosis may be verified by histological examination. Unlike other tumors, odontoma shows no inclination to recurrence.

Can odontomas grow?

Odontomas are generally small; however, they may occasionally grow large, resulting in bone expansion (6–10).

How is odontoma treated?

Odontoma is the most common odontogenic benign tumor, and the treatment of choice is generally surgical removal. After excision, bone grafts may be necessary depending on the need for further treatment, or the size and location of the odontoma.

How common is odontoma?

Odontomas are thought to be the second most frequent type of odontogenic tumor worldwide (after ameloblastoma), accounting for about 20% of all cases within this relatively uncommon tumor category which shows large geographic variations in incidence.

Do odontomas grow?

How is an odontoma treated?