Cementoblastoma of a primary molar: A rare pediatric occurrence

Abstract

Cementoblastoma is a relatively uncommon, benign odontogenic mesenchymal tumor that is associated with and attached to the roots of teeth. It is considered to be the only true neoplasm of cemental origin. Its prevalence has been reported to vary from 0.69% to 8% of all odontogenic tumors. The tumor is frequently seen in the second and third decades of life and affects the molar and premolar regions of the mandible predominantly. We herein describe a case of cementoblastoma occurring in association with primary teeth in a 5-year-old male patient with a brief review of literature. Only 20 cases of cementoblastoma involving primary teeth were found after the English literature search, the current case being the 21^st. Moreover, the deciduous teeth-associated cementoblastomas (14 out of 20) show a distinct predilection for the right side of the face. The current case is the seventh one to involve the left side.

Keywords: Cementoblastoma; cementum; odontogenic tumor; primary molar; tooth root.

Figure 1

Panoramic view showing well-defined radio-opacity surrounded by a radiolucent line attached to the mesial root of 75, displacing second premolar tooth bud

Figure 2

Gross specimen showing left deciduous second mandibular molar with the mesial root embedded within a smooth, hard globular tumor mass

Figure 3

Stereomicroscopic picture of the one half of the sectioned gross specimen, showing continuity of the tumor mass with the cementum

Figure 4

Photomicrograph of the decalcified section showing lesional tissue continuous with tooth root (H&E, ×50)

Figure 5

Photomicrograph of the decalcified section cementum-like material with prominent reversal lines and intervening fibrovascular stroma (H&E, ×100)

Figure 6

Stereomicroscopic picture of the decalcified section showing a perpendicular arrangement of trabeculae of mineralized tissue to the external surface (H&E, ×50)