Peripheral osteoma of the maxillary alveolar process.

Osteoma is a benign, slow-growing tumor characterized by proliferation of compact or cancellous bone. Solitary osteomas are classified as peripheral, central, or extraskeletal. Peripheral osteomas of the oral cavity are unusual and the maxilla is rarely affected. They manifest as asymptomatic, fixed tumors of bony-hard consistency that may be sessile or pedunculated. Radiographically, a well-circumscribed round or oval radiopaque mass is seen that is microscopically composed of cancellous or trabecular bone. A case of a compact, peripheral osteoma arising from the buccal plate of the alveolar ridge of the maxilla in a 64-year-old patient is presented. According to our literature review, this is the seventh case reported in the maxillary ridge.