Epidermoid Cyst of the Gingiva: A Rare Case Report and Literature Review

Oral epidermoid cysts are developmental lesions that account for less than 0.04% of all reported cases and typically occur in the floor of the mouth; gingival involvement is exceedingly rare. This report describes a 23-year-old female presenting with an asymptomatic, whitish papule on the attached gingiva near the right mandibular canine. Histopathologically, the lesion showed a cystic cavity mainly lined by orthokeratinized stratified squamous epithelium containing lamellar keratin, without cutaneous adnexal structures in the fibrous connective tissue capsule. No recurrence was observed after 15 months of follow-up. A literature review identified eight epidermoid cysts involving the gingiva or alveolar ridge. This report underscores the importance of including this entity in the differential diagnosis of gingival papules and indicates that accurate clinical recognition coupled with histopathological confirmation ensures curative surgical outcomes.