CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT OF AMELOBLASTOMA THROUGH DECOMPRESSION, WITH FOLLOW-UP FOR 5 YEARS

Abstract

Ameloblastoma is a locally aggressive benign epithelial odontogenic tumor. The treatment can be radical or conservative, but the chosen technique is still controversial. We report the case of a 16-year-old patient, presenting a volumetric increase in the posterior region of the mandible, symptomatic and hardened on palpation. In imaging studies, a radiolucent, unilocular lesion was found, involving the region of the lower right first molar to the coronoid process, associated with the included third molar. An aspiration puncture was performed, showing citrus yellow liquid, followed by incisional biopsy, with extraction of teeth 47 and 48 and installation of a decompression device. The diagnosis was conventional ameloblastoma. The lesion completely regressed through decompression for a period of 1 year and the patient has been followed up for 5 years without recurrence. When conservative treatment is chosen, strict periodic clinical radiographic monitoring is essential.