Peripheral epithelial odontogenic tumors.

Peripheral epithelial odontogenic tumors are the extraosseous equivalents of the much more often encountered central gnathic odontogenic tumors. The peripheral tumors arise in the mandibular or maxillary gingiva from the surface mucosa or dental lamina rests in the submucosa. Ameloblastoma is the most common histologic type. It, like all other peripheral epithelial odontogenic tumors, follows a benign, nonaggressive clinical course.