Abstract :
Background: Ameloblastoma is one of the most recognized odontogenic tumors in many countries all over the world. It is an uncommon odontogenic tumor of the mandible and maxilla, with 80% arising in the mandible and 20% occurring in the maxilla. Ameloblastoma may arise from rests of dental lamina, enamel apparatus, the epithelial lining of an odontogenic (dentigerous) cyst, or from the basal epithelial cells of the oral mucosa.Objectives: To analyze cases of ameloblastoma, with an emphasis on prevalence and radiographic findings. This study also briefly reviews the current literature and discusses the radiographic characteristics of ameloblastoma.Materials and Methods: This research was a quantitative analysis with a descriptive retrospective design. Secondary data were obtained from the Hasanuddin University Dental Hospital from January 2023 to December 2023. A total of 13 cases, diagnosed both clinically and radiographically, were included in the study.Results: The age of patients affected by ameloblastoma ranged from 15 to 67 years, with the most affected group being those between 20 and 29 years (46.15%). The male-to-female ratio was 1.2:1. All cases involved the mandible and exhibited unilateral involvement (100%). The multilocular and unilocular types of ameloblastoma were observed in 8 cases (61.54%) and 5 cases (38.46%), respectively. Among the multilocular variants, the soap-bubble pattern was the most common (62.5%), followed by the spider-web-like pattern (25%) and the honeycomb pattern (12.5%). Root resorption of varying degrees was observed in 8 cases (61.54%).Conclusion: Ameloblastoma most commonly presents in the third decade of life, with a higher prevalence in men than in women, and is predominantly multilocular in appearance. Radiographs are a crucial diagnostic tool for oral lesions, particularly those involving bone. Clinicians should consider ameloblastoma as a key differential diagnosis when encountering radiolucent or mixed-density lesions in the mandible, especially when accompanied by cortical expansion and root resorption. Early detection and accurate diagnosis are essential for effective management.
Keyword :
Ameloblastoma, Radiographic features, Prevalence, Mandible