Key clinical message: Understanding the role of hormones in periodontitis is important. Periodontal microscopic surgery approach in the treatment of fibrous epulis is not indicated. Wider flap access with root planning is indicated to control the lesion in one phase.
Abstract: We present a case of a 40-year-old female who presented with a gingival hyperplastic lesion around the maxillary left permanent central and lateral incisors. Patient's medical history reveals a recent pregnancy, hypothyroidism, ulcerative colitis, and schizoaffective disorder. All medical conditions were controlled by medications. The lesion was excised using a minimally invasive periodontal surgical technique, and the biopsy results confirmed a diagnosis of ulcerative fibrous epulis with osseous metaplasia. No curettage or local debridement was done under the assumption that the patient's oral hygiene was satisfactory and due to aesthetic concerns of gingival recession and creation of black triangles. The lesion recurred after 3 months and was removed using a traditional more invasive surgical technique. The patient was followed up for 2 years, and there was no further recurrence due to the complete excision of the lesion in the second surgery and the disappearance of the hormonal-related factors post-pregnancy that could have contributed to the gingival hyperplasia. The unique component of the case we are presenting is the comparison between two different surgical techniques and the conduction versus absence of local periodontal debridement after surgical excision as well as the possible correlation between oral supplements and the calcific nature of the lesion(s) reported. The case we present demonstrates that a more invasive traditional surgical approach together with local periodontal therapy provide an optimum treatment outcome in conjunction with elimination of any associated etiological factors. We also propose that hormones are more important as an etiological factor in developing fibrous epulis lesions than medical conditions and medications.
Keywords: fibrous epulis; hormonal balance; medications; osseous metaplasia; periodontal debridement.
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