Peripheral ossifying fibroma
DESCRIPTION: This lesion appears as a mass arising from the gingiva adjacent to teeth or between teeth. It favors teenagers and young adults. Those arising between teeth may separate the teeth and produce pressure resorption of the interdental bone. It’s not unusual to see a “saddle” lesion straddling the ridge with a labial and lingual lobe. Color is normal or slightly red. Histologically the bulk of this lesion is moderately cellular fibrous connective tissue frequently containing foci of bone, cementum, or dystrophic calcification. When inflammation is present, plasma cells frequently predominate.
ETIOLOGY: Unknown
Treatment: Excision. The recurrence rate is about 15%. Extraction of the adjacent teeth is seldom necessary.
Prognosis: Good
Differential Diagnosis: Peripheral fibroma bears a great resemblance to pyogenic granuloma and peripheral giant cell granuloma. Histologic examination is necessary to distinguish between them.
