RESUMO
Peripheral cemento-ossifying fibroma (PCOF) is a rare osteogenic neoplasm that ordinarily presents as an epulis-like growth. This is of a reactive rather than neoplastic nature and its pathogenesis is uncertain. PCOF predominantly affects adolescent and young adults with greatest prevalence around 28 years. We report here a rare clinical case of PCOF of the mandible, 1 cm mesiodistally and 1.5 cm occluso-gingivally in diameter, which caused difficulty in eating and speech, in a 42-year-old female patient. She was asymptomatic for 1 year and on follow-up for 6 mo post surgically showed gingival health and normal radioopacity of bone without any recurrence. Clinical, radiographic and histological characteristics are discussed and recommendations regarding differential diagnosis, treatment and follow up are provided. The controversial varied nomenclature and possible etiopathogenesis of PCOF are emphasized.