Peripheral odontoma: A case report

Abstract

Odontomas refers to any tumor of odontogenic origin. The well-differentiated epithelial and mesenchymal cell gives rise to ameloblast and odontoblast which lays down enamel, dentin and pulpal tissue of the odontoma. The enamel thus laid is in an abnormal pattern and is considered as a developmental anomaly rather than true neoplasm. Odontomas are hamartomatous developmental malformations of odontogenic origin which manifest as denticles, or amorphous masses comprising of the dental tissues. Although a majority of odontomas are intraosseous; there are case reports of odontomas that erupted into the oral cavity. Even less common are peripheral or soft-tissue odontomas, only a few of which have been reported to date. They commonly occur in the pre-maxillary region and associated complications include delayed or uneruption of permanent teeth, retention of the primary teeth and dentigerous cyst formation. Management usually requires surgical removal of the odontoma and the impacted tooth followed by subsequent orthodontic intervention to correct the malocclusion. The present case report describes a case of peripheral odontoma that was present in the alveolar mucosa of a 12-year-old female patient who reported with a chief complaint of unerupted left maxillary lateral incisor. The diagnosis, complications, treatment and prognosis of this entity will be discussed.