Ameloblastic fibroma in a 12-year-old girl: a clinical case

OBJECTIVES Ameloblastic fibroma is a rare benign odontogenic tumor com-posed of epithelial and mesen-chymal tissue, mostly located in the mandible premolar-molar region of young male patients. Its etiology is unknown and since it is asymptomatic, it can be diag-nosed during routine oral examination or with an orthopanoram-ic radiograph. In most cases this lesion is associated with an impacted tooth and from the histo-logical point of view, it is charac-terized by plump fibroblasts and collagen fibrils. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 12-year-old girl presented a suspicious neoplastic lesion of the left posterior region of the mandible, associated with an impacted tooth. Clinical and radiographic examination were compatible with the diagnosis of pediatric ameloblastic fibroma. The lesion was treated with complete enucleation and bone curettage; mandibular left sec-ond molar was also extracted. RESULTS The histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of ameloblastic fibroma. One year follow-up orthopantomography and computed tomography showed bone defect healing and no evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS Recognizing ameloblastic fibroma and initiating early treatment is crucial to avoid complications and ensure the well-being of patients. Ameloblastic fibroma, a relatively uncommon odonto-genic tumor, presents a range of treatment options: conservative therapy is typically recommend-ed for small and asymptomatic lesions, while aggressive surgery is less frequently employed for extensive or locally recurring cases. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Timely recognition of ameloblas-tic fibroma is crucial to prevent complications. Treatment options range from conservative to surgical, depending on size and symptoms. Long-term follow-up is essential for monitoring recur-rence and malignant transfor-mation. Surgical enucleation with bone curettage is a com-mon approach. Accurate diagnosis and early treatment improve clinical outcomes and patient well-being.