Ameloblastomas arising in the supraperiosteal soft tissues (peripheral ameloblastoma) and those taking origin in the maxilla have distinctively different biologic behaviors. The peripheral ameloblastoma can be successfully treated by conservative excision while en bloc resection is warranted for the maxillary ameloblastoma. The effectiveness of primary surgical treatment of an ameloblastoma of the maxilla is the key to reduce morbidity and mortality from the lesion. Anatomic differences between the maxilla and mandible and an apparent more aggressive behavior of maxillary tumors also play a role in establishing the ameloblastoma of the maxilla as the most dangerous of the ameloblastomas.