calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor in anterior maxilla associated with a supernumerary tooth: a case report

odontogenic tumors are derived from epithelial, ectomesenchymal and/or mesenchymal elements that are or have been a part of the tooth-forming apparatus. of all the odontogenic tumors, calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor accounts for 1% of the cases. approximately 200 cases have been reported to date. there is no sex predilection, with a 2:1 predilection for the mandible, mostly in the premolar/molar region. it is often locally invasive. most often, it is associated with an impacted tooth, is asymptomatic and requires biopsy for diagnosis. presented here is a rare case of an intraosseous calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor surrounding a supernumerary tooth. furthermore, the occurrence of this tumor in the anterior maxilla (an uncommon site) in a pediatric patient makes it rarer. although the present case was asymptomatic, root resorption and displacement of adjacent teeth necessitated its surgical removal. the lesion was surgically enucleated and histopathological examination confirmed calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor, showing abundant calcifications in the form of liesegang rings.