Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

Ameloblastomas typically have which characteristic regarding tooth vitality?

1. Non-vital

2. Vital

3. Partially vital

4. Variable vitality

The correct answer is: Vital

Ameloblastomas are benign but locally aggressive tumors that arise from the odontogenic epithelium, specifically the enamel-forming cells known as ameloblasts. One of the hallmarks of ameloblastomas is that they often present in association with vital teeth. This is primarily because ameloblastomas typically manifest as a cystic or solid mass in the jawbone, often displacing or expanding the surrounding bone and teeth. The teeth adjacent to the ameloblastoma generally maintain their vitality because the tumor itself does not typically invade the pulp or root canal system, allowing the nerve and blood supply to remain intact. In this context, referring to the adjacent teeth as vital indicates that they are alive and responsive to vitality testing, such as a cold test or electric pulp testing. This distinction is clinically important, as it helps guide treatment decisions and informs the prognosis for the affected tooth or teeth. While it is possible for other dental pathologies to cause non-vital teeth due to pulp necrosis or irritation, this is not characteristic of ameloblastomas unless there is severe displacement or resorption of the roots or bone, which is relatively uncommon. Therefore, the classification of tooth vitality in the case of ameloblastomas being vital accurately reflects the nature of this tumor