Epulides in the dog: a review

Abstract

This article is based on a review of the literature and the study of pathology sections obtained from various veterinary pathology laboratories. Epulis is a non-specific, clinical designation for a localized, exophytic growth on the gingiva. Four reactive epulides occur in human beings, namely focal fibrous hyperplasia (fibrous epulis), pyogenic granuloma, peripheral giant cell granuloma (giant cell epulis), and peripheral ossifying fibroma (calcifying fibrous epulis). The first three also occur in dogs but only focal fibrous hyperplasia appears to be common. The peripheral ossifying fibroma has not yet been reported in dogs. Odontogenic tumors occurring on the gingiva (i.e., as epulides) are referred to as peripheral odontogenic tumors. Three types have been reported in dogs. One, the common fibromatous epulis, is equivalent to the rare peripheral odontogenic fibroma in human beings. Another, the acanthomatous epulis, appears to be a form of ameloblastoma but differs from the peripheral ameloblastoma in human beings in that it invades bone; its biological behavior is therefore that of the human intraosseous ameloblastoma. The third, a rare lesion, has been referred to in the veterinary literature as a calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor, although it is not the canine counterpart of the human CEOT. The term, amyloid-producing odontogenic tumor, has been suggested as being appropriate for this lesion.