• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.321-327
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• 2013

Ameloblastic fibroma (AF) is a rare odontogenic ectomesenchymal tumor that is frequently seen in the first two decades of life, and occurs in the mandible. The most proper management of AF has been a recent topic of debate because of its recurrence and malignant transformation. This report describes AF in a 4-year-old male, which was a unilocular radiolucency on the maxillary right primary molar area with a scalloped border and corticated margin. The tumor was treated conservatively with enucleation and curettage, and the decision was made to preserve the right primary second molar. A biopsy confirmed it as AF. During the 43 months of follow-up, the patient had no evidence of recurrence or malignant transformation. Moreover, the radiographic examination revealed the generation of tooth germ to be a permanent second premolar. This report shows a case of AF in the posterior maxilla of a 4-year-old boy and discusses the conservative therapeutic approach to this tumor. Therefore, the age of the patients should be an important consideration when choosing conservative or radical surgery in a young AF patient.