Extrinsic pigmentation Amalgam tattoos are by far the most common form of intramucosal extrinsic pigmentation seen in the oral cavity. A distant second is graphite tattoo from implanted pencil lead. Extrinsic surface pigmentation such as those caused by tea, coffee,…
Granulomatous inflammation True granulomas are clusters of activated histiocytes/macrophages with an epithelioid appearance with variable inflammation and often multinucleated giant cells. They have a wide range of etiologies and range from cholesterol granulomas within odontogenic cysts to tumor-like granulomas from…
Recurrent aphthous ulcers Most cases of recurrent aphthous ulcers are idiopathic and occur in 15% to 25% of the population, usually children, teenagers, and young adults. Trauma and stress, both physical and emotional, bring on episodes in susceptible individuals. However,…
Only the most common soft tissue tumors that one encounters with regularity in the oral cavity will be discussed here. The landscape of these tumors has changed tremendously over the last 10 years because of advances in molecular diagnostics and…
Fibrous lesions Fibroma (“bite” or “irritation” fibroma, fibroepithelial or fibrovascular polyp), and giant cell fibroma Clinical findings Fibroma: This occurs at any age group without sex predilection and consists of a dome-shaped nodule or papule that may be white/keratotic, mucosa-colored,…
Besides the common bacterial, fungal, and viral infections of the oral cavity, any infection that occurs in any part of the body may manifest in the mouth, including mycobacterial, treponemal, and protozoal infections, although they are uncommon and rarely occur…
Giant cell fibroma This lesion may occur as a smooth-surfaced nodule or have a bossellated, multinodular, or papillary appearance and is discussed in Chapter 5 . Inflammatory papillary hyperplasia of the palatal mucosa Clinical findings This occurs in adults wearing…
Definitions Choristoma : An overgrowth of tissues that is mature and found in an area where such tissue is not usually present, such as an osseous or cartilaginous choristoma of the tongue. Hamartoma : An overgrowth of tissue that is…