Peripheral ameloblastoma of the gingiva. A case report.

Reports of gingival peripheral ameloblastoma are extremely rare and have been sporadic. This paper reports a pertinent case of a 40-year-old woman who for 2 years had a progressively enlarging asymptomatic firm mass in the buccal gingival region of the lower premolars. Cupping of the underlying bone was radiographically demonstrated. The lesion was excised surgically together with extraction of the first premolar, and no evidence of recurrence was seen 5 years later. The clinical, radiological, and histopathological characteristics of gingival peripheral ameloblastoma were analyzed in the 33 previously reported cases. The differential diagnosis and treatment of this case report are discussed.