Irritation Fibroma on the Tongue Tip Associated With Mandibular Incisors Diastema in a 53-Year-Old Woman: A Case Report

BACKGROUND Irritation fibroma (IF) is a benign reactive exophytic oral lesion arising from chronic trauma, most frequently found on the buccal mucosa, tongue, and lips. Its association with a diastema is a rare occurrence. While typically asymptomatic, such lesions can enlarge due to repeated irritation. This report documents a case of a tongue-tip IF in a 53-year-old woman, caused by trauma from a mandibular midline diastema. CASE REPORT A 53-year-old woman presented with a 2-year history of a firm, asymptomatic nodule on the tip of her tongue that enlarged during eating. Intraoral examination revealed a 0.5-1 cm, well-circumscribed nodule and a 2-4 mm diastema between the mandibular central incisors. The lesion was attributed to the patient's habit of repetitively rubbing her tongue against the diastema. The fibroma was completely excised using a diode laser under local anesthesia, a method chosen for its hemostatic properties and patient comfort. Histopathological examination of the excised tissue confirmed the diagnosis of irritation fibroma. Postoperative healing was uneventful, and no recurrence was observed at a 12-month follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS This case shows that dental diastemas can serve as a source of chronic trauma and must be considered an etiological factor in the development of irritation fibromas. Identifying and eliminating the source of trauma is crucial to preventing recurrence. Diode laser excision proved to be an effective and minimally invasive treatment modality, ensuring precise removal and excellent healing.