Occurrence of a pyogenic granuloma in relation to a dental implant

Pyogenic granuloma is an inflammatory vascular hyperplasia often occurring in the oral cavity. It appears in response to various stimuli such as low-grade local irritation, trauma, or female steroid hormones. A 32-year-old man sought care for a tender and bleeding lesion of the left posterior maxillary gingiva. The intraoral examination showed an exophytic ulcerated nodule measuring 1.0 cm, related to a dental implant placed in the upper left second premolar position. Radiographic examination showed an oversized healing cap. A provisional diagnosis of reactive inflammatory hyperplasia was made, and the lesion was excised and submitted for histologic examination. On microscopy, the surgical specimen showed an ulcerated nodule consisting of a delicate connective tissue stroma containing numerous blood vessels with plump endothelial cells, intermingled with abundant polymorphonuclear lymphocytes. A diagnosis of pyogenic granuloma associated with a dental implant was made. In this case it was the result of an inappropriate choice of a healing cap, thus allowing an accumulation of dental plaque and sustained chronic inflammation of the peri-implant tissue. A conservative excision and replacement of the healing cap were sufficient for definitive treatment.