An odontoma is a benign tumorous growth that develops from epithelial tissue and may affect the teeth and surrounding tissue. It is a type of odontogenic tumor and is the most common type of jaw tumor seen in humans. The exact cause of odontomas is unknown, however, some of the possible causes include trauma, a disagreement in the developmental process of the teeth, and a genetic predisposition. Trauma can cause an odontoma if the jaw or teeth are damaged. This is when a forceful event causes the epithelial cells to transform and develop into the odontoma. Another cause of an odontoma is a disagreement in the developmental process of the teeth. When the process of tooth formation is disrupted, this can cause the cells to grow and form an abnormal tissue, or odontoma. This can be due to a change in the cell's genetic material. Lastly, there also could be a genetic predisposition that could be the cause of odontoma. If a person has a family history of odontomas, this could be the cause of their tumor as well. It is important to note, however, that no specific gene has been found to be responsible for the development of odontomas. Despite not knowing the exact cause of odontomas, these tumors are generally treatable with minimally invasive techniques. The treatment can depend on the size, location, and type of odontoma, but generally a simple surgical procedure can be done to remove the tumorous growth.