Ameloblastic fibroma in the midline of mandible: a case report

Abstract

The ameloblastic fibroma (AF) is a rare benign mixed odontogenic tumor. It is composed of both epithelial and mesenchymal elements, but lacks of any calcified dental structures. Most of these tumors occur in the mandible and appears preferentially in the posterior portion of the dental arch with molar area predominates over premolar area. It is important to differentiate the lesion from ameloblastoma, since unlike the latter, it does not exhibit a locally invasive growth pattern. It is a well-circumscribed lesion and does not require the radical excision that may be necessary to effect cure with ameloblastoma. The present case report describes a 15-year-old patient with an ameloblastic fibroma in the symphysis of the mandible, a rare reported site. In the beginning of the article an extensive review of the previously published literature on ameloblastic fibroma has been made. In the later part, the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, histology and therapeutic procedures and postoperative follow up of the present case have been described.