Peripheral Developing Odontoma or Peripheral Ameloblastic Fibroodontoma: A Rare Challenging Case

Area of Science:

• Oral pathology
• Odontogenic tumors
• Maxillofacial surgery

Background:

• Peripheral odontogenic lesions are uncommon in odontogenic tumor classifications.
• These lesions exhibit microscopic similarities to their central counterparts.
• Accurate diagnosis is crucial to prevent overtreatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of peripheral developing odontoma (peripheral ameloblastic fibro-odontoma) on the maxillary gingiva.
• To discuss the diagnostic challenges associated with peripheral odontogenic tumors.
• To emphasize the importance of precise histopathological diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• Clinical presentation of an ulcerated maxillary gingival mass.
• Histopathological examination for definitive diagnosis.
• Review of literature on peripheral odontogenic tumors.

Main Results:

• The lesion was diagnosed as a peripheral developing odontoma (peripheral ameloblastic fibro-odontoma).
• The microscopic features were consistent with odontogenic tumor origins.
• The peripheral nature presented diagnostic complexities.

Conclusions:

• Peripheral developing odontoma is a rare entity requiring careful histopathological evaluation.
• Misdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary surgical interventions.
• Accurate identification is key for appropriate patient management.