Ameloblastoma of the jaws are true neoplasm of odontogenic epithelial origin, and derives its name from the English word “amel” which means enamel and the greek word “blastos” which means germ. It has an intermediate malignant potential, thus classified in a grey zone between benign and malignant neoplasms. It is the second most common odontogenic neoplasm with a incidence of approximately 1% of all oral tumors and 18% of all odontogenic tumors of jaws. More than 80% of cases of ameloblastoma occurs in the mandible. The ameloblastoma occurs mainly in three variants which are solid or multicystic, unicystic, and peripheral and painless expansion of the jaws with or without pain is the most common clinical presentation. Giant invasive ameloblastomas of mandible are rarely confronted. Although these ameloblastomas are benign, they are life threatening. Many have eventuated in death due to airway obstruction, starvation from restriction of feeding. We present a case of giant ameloblastoma in a 36 years old male which was a consequence of patient negligence. The lesion reached an enormous size over two decades (25 years) causing gross facial deformities and posed considerable problems in endotracheal intubation and resection.
