Pathogenesis of Odontogenic Tumours

Odontogenic tumors derived from the odontogenic tissues constitute an unusually diverse group of lesions. This diversity reflects the complex development of the dental structures since these lesions all originate through some alteration from the normal pattern of odontogenesis. In odontogenesis cells in the various stages of differentiation participate in a complex epithelio-mesenchymal interactions resulting in normal tooth development. These interactions are pre-determined and are responsible for the differentiation and morphologic development of the mature tissue.Most commonly the odontogenic tumours are believed to arise from cell rests of Malassez cell rests of dental lamina pericoronal dental follicle epithelial lining of pre-existing cysts