Toothaches

One of the largest groups of dentigerous tumours, accounting for up to 67% of cases, are dentomas, which are classified as mixed tumours, i.e. consisting of more than one type of cell.

According to the theoretical division, one can speak of a complex dentoma and a juxtaposed dentoma. Complex dentin is described as a chaotic mass with an abnormal ratio of dentin, cementum and enamel. A juxtaposed dentoma, on the other hand, is a cluster of notochondria, i.e. many small teeth whose proportions of dentine, cementum and enamel remain correct.

Causes of dentomas

From a clinical point of view, however, the division of denticles is of little importance, as none of the above groups, qualifies to be described as a neoplastic lesion. They are defined as a developmental hamartomatous lesion, which is often a syndrome of another condition (e.g. an example of congenital intestinal polyposis).

The causes of dentomas are, as of today, not fully understood. Many theories have been put forward to explain the aetiopathogenesis of this phenomenon, ranging from traumatic to infectious to genetic theories. Now that it has been accepted that the dentigeroma is not a neoplastic lesion, the thesis of errors or abnormalities in the early stages of development of the tooth primordium, as well as certain disturbances in the later stages of its development, has been accepted.

photo: panthermedia

Treatment of alveomas

For both groups, surgical treatment involving tumour excision is the proposed therapy. Careful removal of all parts of the tumour should be taken, especially in the case of juxtaposed dentomas, so that the parts left behind do not cause complications in the form of pain and inflammation.

In the case of complex dentomas, occlusal problems may arise after removal, hence orthodontic treatment may need to be undertaken with constant checks, including radiological ones. The prognosis in both cases is very good and no recurrence has been reported to date in patients who have undergone treatment.