Etiology • A reactive hyperplasia of the gingiva; may be related to chronic
irritation • Periodontal ligament/membrane origin postulated
Clinical Presentation • Exclusive gingival location; commonly interdental • Nodular, sessile to pedunculated, usually ulcerated mass • Slow growing; may rarely displace teeth • Usually in young adults and adolescents • Early lesions may bleed easily. • Anterior maxillary arch is favored site
irritation • Periodontal ligament/membrane origin postulated
Clinical Presentation • Exclusive gingival location; commonly interdental • Nodular, sessile to pedunculated, usually ulcerated mass • Slow growing; may rarely displace teeth • Usually in young adults and adolescents • Early lesions may bleed easily. • Anterior maxillary arch is favored site
Diagnosis • Central islands or trabeculae of bone/cementum • Fibroblastic proliferation in a sheet-like configuration • Usually ulcerated with granulation tissue base
Differential Diagnosis • Pyogenic granuloma • Peripheral giant cell granuloma • Peripheral fibroma • Peripheral odontogenic tumor • Osteosarcoma/chondrosarcoma • Metastatic neoplasm
Treatment • Excision including underlying periosteum or associated peri-
odontal ligament
Prognosis • Recurrence occasionally seen; believed to be related to incom-
plete excision