An Unusual Presentation of Peripheral Ossifying Fibroma in an Elderly Male - A Case Report

Abstract

Peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF) is a reactive process of the gingiva that develops due to irritation or minor trauma. Females are more affected than males suggesting a hormonal influence. This case report describes a case of peripheral ossifying fibroma in a 48-year-old male patient in 33, 34 regions in contrast to its common occurrence in young females. Histopathological examination is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice to prevent recurrence. One year follow up of the case showed no signs of recurrence. Gingival overgrowth is a common feature of the various types of gingival disease in the oral cavity. Gingival diseases and conditions can be due to genetic disorder, specific infections, inflammatory and immune conditions and lesions, reactive processes, neoplasms, endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases, traumatic lesions and gingival pigmentation.1 Reactive processes are non-neoplastic nodular swellings that develop in response to local irritation or minor trauma. The term epulis is exophytic processes confined to the gingiva.2 Kfir et al. classified epulides into fibrous epulis, peripheral ossifying fibroma, pyogenic granuloma (vascular epulis), peripheral giant cell granuloma (or central).3 Ossifying fibromas in the oral cavity can be classified into central and peripheral type. The central type expands from the medullary cavity of the bone, arising from the endosteum or the periodontal ligament (PDL) adjacent to the root apex. Peripheral type arises from the soft tissues overlying the alveolar process which is contiguous with the periodontal ligament. 4 This article presents a case of POF in a male patient.