Peripheral Odontogenic Keratocyst Presenting as a Gingival Nodular Mass in the Anterior Mandible: A Case Report

Odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is an odontogenic cyst with a high recurrence rate due to its tumor-like characteristics, such as proliferative activity and daughter cyst formation. OKC is generally regarded as an intraosseous lesion; it may rarely occur as a peripheral lesion. We present the case of a 73-year-old man who presented with a nodular mass on the gingiva of his mandibular anterior teeth and complained of discomfort. Intraoral examination revealed a dark red nodular mass 1.5 cm in size on the gingiva of the left mandibular central incisor. The lesion was completely excised under local anesthesia. The histopathological diagnosis was OKC. There was no intervening bone wall between the oral mucosa and the cyst wall; thus, the lesion was considered a peripheral OKC. This case report confirms that peripheral OKC is rare and requires careful attention in the differential diagnosis of gingival lesions.