Background: Ameloblastic fibroma (AF) and related lesions constitute a group of lesions, which range in biologic behavior from true neoplasms to hamartomas. The aim of this study was to elucidate the nature and interrelationship of this group of lesions.
Methods: Clinical and pathological studies were undertaken retrospectively on 13 cases of AF and seven cases of ameloblastic fibro-odontoma (AFO). Thirty-three complex odontomas and 33 compound odontomas were also included for comparative purpose. Relevant follow-up data were recorded and the literature was reviewed.
Results: The majority of patients with AF (nine cases, 69.2%) were over the age of 22 years with frequent involvement (76.9%) of the posterior mandible. Tumors recurred in four of 11 patients with follow-up information and two recurrent tumors showed malignant transformation. There was no case in this series that could be designated as the so-called ameloblastic fibrodentinoma, apart from one recurrent AF in which further maturation to form only tubular dentin materials was identified. AFO tended to occur at a younger age group with an average of 9.6 years. Recurrence was noted in two of five patients with follow-up data and both recurrent lesions showed limited growth potential and further maturation into a complex odontoma. Significant differences were noted in the age and site distribution between the complex and the compound odontomas.
Conclusion: Whilst the majority, if not all, of AFs are true neoplasms with a potential to recur and/or of malignant transformation, some, especially those occurred during childhood, could represent the primitive stage of a developing odontoma. Our data also suggests that some AFOs are hamartomatous in nature, representing a stage preceding the complex odontoma.