Epidemiologic and histopathological evaluation of unclassified gingival papules in Urmia, Iran

OBJECTIVES: Unclassified gingival papules might be mistaken with other malignant lesions as they resemble some other oral lesions. The present study demonstrates epidemiologic and histopathological characteristics of the gingival unclassified papules in the patients referred to Urmia Dental School, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional descriptive study design was conducted among 500 pateints in Urmai university of medical sciences, Iran. The participant's demographic data and medical history were obtained using clinical examinations and a questionnaire. Histopathological assessments were done in two specimens. The effect of the possible factors on the incidence of gingival papules was statistically assessed by Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Among 500 participants, 340 (68%) demonstrated unclassified gingival papules (40.9% males, 59.1% females; mean age of 34.9 years). No significant differences were found regarding the effect of gender, smoking, mouth breathing, history of skin disease or pregnancy on the incidence of gingival papules. However, the breastfeeding females (P < 0.004) or those using contraceptive pills (P < 0.02) showed lower frequency of papules' incidence. Among 340 papules, 332 (97.6%) were white in color, 337 (99.1%) were well defined and 331 (97.3%) were observed in the keratinized gingiva. 207 (60.9%) were multiple and 133 (39.1%) were single lesions. The papules showed healthy tissues similar to gingival tissue; however, abundant collagen bundles were irregular and close to the surface, which was covering by stratified squamous epithelium. CONCLUSION: Gingival papules are common findings in patients referring to Urmia Dental School; the lesions were almost white in color, well defined and appeared in the keratinized gingiva. The lesions were a variation of normal oral structures with no treatment requirements.