Root resorption by ameloblastomas and cysts of the jaws

Radiographs of 122 cases of a series of nonmalignant simple jaw cysts and ameloblastomas were examined and the frequency of resorption of adjacent tooth roots compared. The ameloblastomas proved to have a root resorptive potential far greater than the cystic lesions considered. Certain statistically significant differences were observed in the root resorption related to the cystic lesions. The dentigerous cyst showed a tendency to resorb roots (55%), whereas in this study no resorption was observed in primordial cysts. These differences may aid the clinician in the preoperative differential diagnosis. It is suggested that the capacity of the dentigerous cyst for root resorption may be the result of its origin from the dental follicle, which is associated with resorption of the roots of primary teeth during normal tooth succession.