Massive fibrous epulis-a case report of a 10-year-old lesion

The fibrous epulis, a common tumor-like lesion of the gingiva, appears in the interdental papilla as a result of local irritation. Lesions are asymptomatic and have a variable growth rate. A 75-year-old woman was referred for the evaluation of a large painless gingival mass. It had started 10 years back and has been increasing in size the last year. No bone involvement was noted. The tumor was totally removed by excision with surgical scalpel under local anesthesia without teeth extraction. The microscopic findings were suggestive of a fibrous epulis. Differential diagnosis, clinical considerations and factors to prevent recurrence are discussed.