Peripheral ameloblastoma: a case report

Peripheral ameloblastoma is an uncommon pathological variant of the more usual intraosseous central ameloblastoma. It most typically presents as a localized soft tissue mass occurring in the tooth-bearing areas of the jaws and is often provisionally diagnosed as an epulis. In this paper, a 43-year-old male presented with a three-year history of a painful, slowly enlarging gingival swelling. There was no evidence of bony involvement on radiographs but it was revealed histologically to be a peripheral ameloblastoma. Treatment was by wide local excision, including a bony margin, and primary closure. Long-term follow-up is imperative owing to possible recurrence and malignant potential.