External tooth resorption associated with a peripheral odontogenic fibroma: review and case report

The purpose of the study is to document a rare case of a peripheral odontogenic fibroma with associated cervical and coronal tooth resorption in a 38 year old woman. Histopathological features are described, the clinical management outlined and follow-up observations over 27 years detailed. The exophytic firm lesion, coral pink in appearance, located on the labial aspect of a maxillary right lateral incisor was excised, fixed in formalin and prepared for histological evaluation. The resorption cavity and adjacent soft tissue were treated by the topical application of trichloroacetic acid prior to restoration with a glass-ionomer cement and subsequent root canal treatment. Histologically, the body of the lesion was characterized by the presence of odontogenic epithelium embedded in a mature fibrous stroma. Areas of dystrophic calcification could also be identified. The features were consistent with a diagnosis of a peripheral odontogenic fibroma. The clinical result of treatment assessed 27 years postoperatively showed no evidence of recurrence of the peripheral odontogenic fibroma. External cervical and coronal tooth resorption can, on rare occasions, prove to be a clinical feature associated with peripheral odontogenic fibroma. Treatment of the tumour mass and the resorptive lesion can provide a successful outcome.