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| Epulides |
What are Epulides?
An Epulis is a 'lump on the gum'. Epulides are the most
common type of lump on the gum and can best be
described as long-term inflamed hyperplasia (an excessive
growth of normal cells).
Epulides come in a number of forms - fibrous epulides,
pyogenic granulomata, giant-cell granulomata and denture
granuloma/hyperplasia.
They are caused by trauma (repeated chewing of a lip or
tongue) and long-term irritation or friction by such things as
badly fitting dentures, fillings and crowns, plaque and rough
tooth edges.
In more than 80% cases, an epulis will form in front of the
molars (large back teeth) and they are more common on
the upper jaw than the lower. Epulides are more common
in women than in men.
Fibrous Epulides
These growths can appear as either a flat mass or have a
'stalk'.
They are normally the same colour and texture as the gum
around the growth but the surface of the epulis may be
ulcerated and covered by a yellow, fibrous membrane.
This type of epulis affects a wide age range of people but
most patients are between 11 and 40-years old.
An Epulis is a 'lump on the gum'. Epulides are the most
common type of lump on the gum and can best be
described as long-term inflamed hyperplasia (an excessive
growth of normal cells).
Epulides come in a number of forms - fibrous epulides,
pyogenic granulomata, giant-cell granulomata and denture
granuloma/hyperplasia.
They are caused by trauma (repeated chewing of a lip or
tongue) and long-term irritation or friction by such things as
badly fitting dentures, fillings and crowns, plaque and rough
tooth edges.
In more than 80% cases, an epulis will form in front of the
molars (large back teeth) and they are more common on
the upper jaw than the lower. Epulides are more common
in women than in men.
Fibrous Epulides
These growths can appear as either a flat mass or have a
'stalk'.
They are normally the same colour and texture as the gum
around the growth but the surface of the epulis may be
ulcerated and covered by a yellow, fibrous membrane.
This type of epulis affects a wide age range of people but
most patients are between 11 and 40-years old.
| Epulis on the lower left gum / inter-proximal area LL2 - LL3 |
Vascular Epulides (Pyogenic Granuloma & Pregnancy
Epulis)
Under the microscope, the Pyogenic Granuloma and the
Pregnancy Epulis look the same.
They appear as soft, deep reddish-purple swellings and are
often ulcerated. They are found mostly on the gums but
can also be seen on the tongue, cheek and lips as a result
of trauma. They may bleed, either spontaneously or if they
are touched or knocked.
Epulis)
Under the microscope, the Pyogenic Granuloma and the
Pregnancy Epulis look the same.
They appear as soft, deep reddish-purple swellings and are
often ulcerated. They are found mostly on the gums but
can also be seen on the tongue, cheek and lips as a result
of trauma. They may bleed, either spontaneously or if they
are touched or knocked.
| Photo of a Pregnancy Epulis in the inter-proximal area of the UR3 - UR4 |
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| Photos of Pyogenic Granulomata |
birth, some pregnancy epulides will become fibrous
epulides.
How are they treated?
They are surgically removed under Local Anæsthetic as in a
biopsy.
Useful Websites:
Simply Teeth
Wikipedia
epulides.
How are they treated?
They are surgically removed under Local Anæsthetic as in a
biopsy.
Useful Websites:
Simply Teeth
Wikipedia