Melanin-pigment in complex odontoma

A case of complex odontoma, which contained melanin-pigment in the odontogenic epithelial cells in a 19-year-old Japanese male is reported. In addition to the characteristic histopathologic features of complex odontoma, odontogenic epithelial cells containing melanin-pigment were widely distributed in the fibrous connective tissue stroma which differed from that of the dental papilla in cellular appearance. No dendritic cells containing melanin-pigment were found in any sections. The possible histogenesis of melanin-pigment in the odontogenic epithelial cells was discussed, though no conclusion could be drawn from the present observation as to its origin in complex odontoma.