Peripheral ossifying fibroma--a clinical evaluation of 134 pediatric cases.
OBJECTIVE
Reported clinicopathologic studies on the peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF), a reactive gingival lesion, have not addressed the pediatric population in specific detail. This study, the first devoted to children, investigated the clinical features of a large number of POFs and compared the findings to cases reported in the English language literature.


METHODS
Detailed clinical and historical information of 134 surgically removed POFs in patients aged 1-19 formed the basis of this study. Clinical manifestations, histogenesis, treatment rationale with pediatric considerations, and biologic behavior were emphasized.


RESULTS
The POF was found more frequently in females (60%). It had a predilection for the maxillary gingiva (60%) and for the incisor/cuspid region. The average patient age was 14 years. Only 2 (1%) POFs were found to be unequivocally associated with primary teeth. The clinician seldom included the POF in the differential diagnosis. The recurrence rate after surgical excision was 8%.


CONCLUSIONS
This study revealed that a POF arising from the periodontal ligament of a primary tooth is most likely a rare event. However, the pediatric patient with a POF has special management considerations compared to the adult. Because of the POF behavior pattern, a proper treatment protocol is warranted with close postoperative follow-up.
Cuisia
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Pediatric Dentistry Department, University of Maryland College of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Brannon
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003481:Cuspid / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D018214:Fibroma, Ossifying / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005887:Gingival Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000473:pathology; D007223:Infant; D008145:Louisiana; D008297:Male; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D012737:Sex Factors; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000473:pathology