Peripheral developing odontoma in newborn. Report of two cases and literature review

Extra-osseous odontogenic tumors are rarely observed. However, it is widely accepted that the remains of odontogenic epithelium entrapped in the oral soft tissues may be a possible source for peripheral odontogenic tumors differentiation. Peripheral developing odontoma is considered exceptionally rare, since few similar cases are described in the English-related literature under diverse nomenclature, such as irregular eruption, ectopic tooth, ectopic soft-tissue mesiodens, ectopic odontoma and extra-osseous tooth germ. Previously reported cases invariably affected children and surgical exploration revealed tooth germs exclusively embedded in the soft tissue without bone involvement. Microscopically, all these cases exhibited developing tooth germs composed of ameloblasts, enamel matrix, odontoblastic layer, dentin and dental papilla and the morphological findings seem to depend on the developmental stage of each tooth germ at discovery. Thus, we believe that it is relevant to report two additional cases that were recently diagnosed in Brazil and Guatemala, focusing on their nomenclature, correct diagnosis and further treatment.