Fibrocementoma of the Maxilla: An Unusual Presentation

A CEMENTOMA is a benign odontogenic tumor which usually develops in the periapical portion of the mandibular incisors. Brophy 1 was the first to describe a cementoma as an entity. Unlike most types of odontogenic tumors, a cementoma is believed to form in addition to, and not instead of, regularly developed teeth. The most accepted view is that of Stafne 2 who observed that the initial lesion is the result of proliferation of principal periodontal fibers. It has been variously designated as periapical osteofibroma, cementifying fibroma, cementoblastoma, sclerosing cementoma, fibrocementoma, periapical fibrous dysphasia, and odontogenic fibroma, depending upon the histological appearance or radiological stage of the lesion. Zegarelli and Ziskin 3 defined the lesion as "a neoplasm of limited growth, originating from cementoblasts of periodontal membrane surrounding the root apex of the tooth." The medical and dental records of 50 patients were studied, but no conclusion could be reached as