The relative frequency of odontogenic tumors in the Black Sea region of Turkey: an analysis of 86 cases

Aim: To determine the relative frequency and distribution of different types of odontogenic tumors in southeastern Europe, focusing on the Black Sea region of Turkey. Materials and methods: In total 1165 oromaxillofacial biopsy records were evaluated for histologic diagnosis of odontogenic tumors over a 7-year period from patients referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Department of Pathology, Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Dentistry and Medicine, Trabzon, Turkey. Results: A total of 86 odontogenic tumors were reported. Malignant transformation only occurred in 6 cases (6.8%), while the others were benign (93.2%). Odontoma was the most common odontogenic tumor (41.8%), followed by keratocystic odontogenic tumor (17.4%), ameloblastoma (12.7%), and odontogenic myxoma (9.3%). Conclusion: The relative frequencies of odontogenic tumors exhibited variability between geographic regions. In the Black Sea region of Turkey, odontoma and keratocystic odontogenic tumors are the most common benign odontogenic tumors with distinct anatomic predilections.