Peripheral giant cell granuloma associated with dental prostheses: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Peripheral giant cell granuloma (PGCG) is a reactive lesion of the gingiva or alveolar ridge that usually develops in response to chronic local irritation. Plaque, calculus, trauma, and periodontal inflammation are established contributors, and defective dental prostheses may intensify these effects by creating plaque-retentive areas and repeated soft-tissue injury. This article combines a focused narrative review with an illustrative case to discuss diagnosis, treatment, recurrence, and prosthodontic implications.

CASE SUMMARY

A 60-year-old man presented with a 1.0 cm × 0.5 cm palatal gingival mass beneath a three-unit ceramometal fixed dental prosthesis in the maxillary anterior region. Clinical examination, radiographic assessment, excisional biopsy, and histopathologic evaluation confirmed PGCG. Management included prosthesis removal, complete excision with curettage, and extraction of a non-restorable abutment tooth. Healing was uneventful, and no recurrence was observed at 6 months. PGCG is a reactive gingival lesion associated with chronic local irritation. This case report illustrates PGCG arising beneath a defective fixed dental prosthesis in a multifactorial inflammatory setting that also included plaque retention and periodontal breakdown. Its value lies in the practical lessons for diagnosis, differential diagnosis, complete excision, elimination of local irritants, prosthodontic redesign, and follow-up to reduce recurrence.

CONCLUSION

This case supports interpreting a defective prosthesis as a contributing local factor rather than an isolated proven cause. The report highlights the need for clinicopathologic correlation, cautious causal wording, elimination of local irritants, appropriate prosthodontic redesign when indicated, and follow-up to reduce recurrence.

Keywords: Peripheral giant cell granuloma; Dental prostheses; Fixed dental prosthesis; Reactive gingival lesion; Oral pathology; Case report

Core Tip: Peripheral giant cell granuloma is a relatively common reactive lesion of the oral cavity that arises exclusively on the gingiva or edentulous alveolar ridge. It is generally regarded as a non-neoplastic proliferation associated with chronic local irritation or trauma, likely originating from the periodontal ligament or periosteum. The report highlights the need for clinicopathologic correlation, cautious causal wording, elimination of local irritants, appropriate prosthodontic redesign when indicated, and follow-up to reduce recurrence.