Pregnancy Epulis — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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EasyHuman DiseasePregnancy EpulisMFDS Part 1

A 30-year-old woman at 28 weeks' gestation presents with a rapidly growing, painless, red pedunculated mass arising from the interdental gingiva. It bleeds readily during toothbrushing. Plaque is present adjacent to the lesion, and periapical radiography shows no underlying bone destruction. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Correct answer: D — Pregnancy epulis (oral pyogenic granuloma)

The diagnosis is a **pregnancy epulis**, the pregnancy-associated form of oral pyogenic granuloma. It is a benign, reactive and highly vascular gingival proliferation promoted by pregnancy-related hormonal changes and local inflammatory irritants such as plaque. Its red, pedunculated, rapidly growing and readily bleeding appearance is characteristic. A peripheral giant cell granuloma is often red-blue and may produce superficial “cupping” of alveolar bone. A peripheral ossifying fibroma is usually firmer and less vascular. Gingival squamous cell carcinoma is more likely to be ulcerated or indurated and may show destructive features. A parulis represents a draining odontogenic infection and would usually be associated with a diseased tooth. Pregnancy epulides may reduce or resolve after delivery.

Reference: Sarwal P, Lapumnuaypol K. Pyogenic Granuloma, excerpt describing epulis gravidarum. StatPearls [Internet], updated 2024; 2026 edition. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32310537/