Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor presenting as periapical disease

Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor commonly occurs in association with the crowns of unerupted teeth. An extrafollicular variant, radiographically in relationship to root apices, has been reported. However, clear association with the root apices at surgery has not been demonstrated. We report a case of adenomatoid odontogenic tumor in the anterior mandible in a 21-year-old woman that presented radiographically at the root apices and at surgery as a radicular cyst. We believe this represents the first reported case of adenomatoid odontogenic tumor presenting as periapical disease both clinically and radiographically. The diagnosis of adenomatoid odontogenic tumor should be considered when the clinician is presented with a corticated radiolucency in the anterior jaw, especially in teens and young adults.