Spontaneous bone regeneration following mandibular resection for odontogenic myxoma

Spontaneous bone regeneration is an uncommon condition following traumatic or iatrogenic bone loss. The factors responsible for its occurrence are yet to be fully elucidated. This report presents spontaneous bone regeneration following mandibular resection for a giant odontogenic myxoma in a 16-years-old Nigerian male. New bone formation was observed at the postoperative fourth week and has continued for one year after. Likely factors that favor this occurrence are critically examined. The advantages of spontaneous bone regeneration in resource-poor settings include low biologic and economic costs as compared to bone grafting.