THE BEGINNING OF ORAL PATHOLOGY .1. - 1ST DENTAL JOURNAL REPORTS OF ODONTOGENIC-TUMORS AND CYSTS, 1839-1860

Literature reviews of oral lesions frequently lack an appropriate hist oric perspective, presuming that the mid- to late-twentieth century re ports are the first valid reports available. The mid-nineteenth centur y dental journals, however, are replete with clinical, surgical, and m icroscopic descriptions of oral tumors and cysts. Most of these have n ever been referenced during the present century. The purpose of this a rticle is to report the earliest dental journal references for a varie ty of odontogenic tumors and cysts. These references are derived from a canvass of all dental journals published from the first journal (Ame rican Journal of Dental Science) in 1839 to the appearance of Dental C osmos and the organization of the American Dental Association in 1860.