A 56-year-old woman was referred for the treatment of a mandibular lesion that had been slowly increasing in size over a 6-month period. Intraoral examination revealed a reddish-purple nodule involving the attached vestibular gingiva around a machined-surface dental implant that had been placed 2 years earlier in the mandibular left second premolar region. Another implant had been placed in the mandibular left second molar region. The lesion was tender and bled easily upon tooth brushing. Radiographs showed inadequate abutment angulation. The healing caps on these 2 implants were loose and in contact with each other, preventing optimal oral hygiene. An excisional biopsy of the mass resulted in the diagnosis of peripheral giant cell granuloma. After the implants were gently curetted and scaled, they were cleaned using abrasive paste. At the last follow-up, 3 years later, there was no recurrence.
Key words
Complications, dental implants, peripheral giant cell granuloma, plaque control, recurrence