Ameloblastoma typically presents as a painless, slow-growing swelling in the jaw, often in the posterior mandible. Radiographically, it characteristically appears as a multilocular radiolucency (soap-bubble or honeycomb appearance). This lesion is locally aggressive but benign, requiring wide surgical excision with clear margins to prevent recurrence. Unlike odontogenic keratocysts, ameloblastomas show more expansion and multilocularity. Dentigerous cysts are usually unilocular and associated with the crown of an unerupted tooth. Osteosarcoma presents with pain and mixed radiographic features, not painless multilocular radiolucency.

Reference: Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Neville et al., 4th Edition.