A case of a large compound odontoma in the anterior region of the mandible

An odontoma is an odontogenic, tumor composed of enamel, dentine, and cementum, commonly less than 30 mm in diameter. We describe a large compound odontoma arising in the left anterior region of the mandible.A 16-year-old boy was referred by an orthopedist to our hospital for evaluation of a radiopaque lesion in the left side of the mandible. Clinical examination revealed a bony-hard swelling in the left anterior region of the mandible at presentation. The left mandibular canine and lateral incisor were not erupted. Radiographic and CT examinations showed a large, circumscribed, radiopaque lesion, measuring 30×40×28mm and surrounded by a thin radiolucent area accompanied by two impacted teeth. There were many small tooth-like structures within the lesion. The clinical diagnosis was odontoma. The tumor and the impacted teeth were surgically removed by an intraoral approach under general anesthesia. The tumor was covered by a thin capsule and consisted of 321 small tooth-like structures. The histopathological diagnosis was a compound odontoma. The clinical course has been uneventful for 4 years 3 months after surgery.