Peripheral ossifying fibroma: An unusual presentation

Abstract

Peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF) is a focal, reactive, non-neoplastic tumor-like growth of the soft tissue occurring frequently in the maxillary anterior region, mainly affects females, predominating in the second decade of life. POF typically presented as a solitary, slow growing nodular mass that is either pedunculated or sessile. POF is commonly associated with poor oral hygiene, trauma, microorganisms etc and majority of cases showing no marked underlying bone involvement radiographically. The definitive diagnosis is based on histology, with identification of cellular connective tissue and focal presence of osseous component or other calcifications. Surgery is the treatment of choice, though it has a recurrence rate of 8-20%. We report an unusual case of a large POF in the posterior mandible region of a male child patient with histopathological correlations and also highlights the differential diagnosis and management.