Peripheral ameloblastoma with dystrophic calcification: an unusual feature in non-calcifying odontogenic tumors.

Peripheral ameloblastoma is a rare extraosseous counterpart of central ameloblastoma that occurs in soft tissues and may cause bone crest resorption. This study reports a peripheral ameloblastoma on the buccal gingiva of a 56-year-old man, which presented extensive squamous metaplasia areas, keratinization and dystrophic calcifications in the neoplastic islands. It is emphasized the need of a detailed imaging study and a long follow-up period to exclude bone involvement whenever peripheral ameloblastoma diagnosis is considered.