AMELOBLASTOMA: THE MOST COMMON ODONTOGENIC TUMOR – FEATURES OF DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

This article examines ameloblastoma, the most common benign but locally aggressive odontogenic epithelial tumor of the jaws. Its clinical and radiographic forms (follicular, plexiform, desmoplastic, etc.) are described in detail, along with their characteristic slow but infiltrative growth, leading to asymptomatic jaw deformity. Particular attention is paid to diagnostic methods, with computed tomography (CT) playing a key role in assessing the true tumor boundaries. The primary focus is on surgical treatment, including the principles of choosing between resection and enucleation, and the importance of achieving clean resection margins to prevent recurrence. The complexity of prognosis due to the high susceptibility to recurrence and the need for long-term follow-up are emphasized.