Ameloblastoma masquerading as gingival enlargement: A case report with unusual presentation

Ameloblastoma is a slow-growing but locally invasive odontogenic tumor, with a high rate of recurrence if not removed adequately. Most commonly it is located intraosseously in both jaws, and there are few or no clinical signs in the early stages. It seldom presents as a soft tissue growth, but when it does it becomes tricky for the general dentist to diagnose the tumor and endow with appropriate treatment. It is of importance to understand that the local biologic behavior of an intraosseous ameloblastoma is that of a low grade malignant tumor. This article describes a case of ameloblastoma involving a 50-year-old female, which had unusual presentation as exophytic growth, without expansion of the cortex and showing diverse histological patterns.