etiology: chronic or acute trauma that severs nerve tissue; commonly seen with injection of local anesthetics and tooth extraction
method of transmission: n/a
characteristics: small firm nodules covered by normal mucosa; painful when palpated but no symptoms otherwise
dental implications: careful around painful area
tx & prognosis: surgical removal; excellent prognosis

etiology: chronic trauma or irritation; ill-fitting denture
method of transmission: n/a
characteristics: nodular; exophytic; pedunculated; smooth; firm; surface may be ulcerated; usually found on tongue, buccal mucosa, and lips; folded appearance
dental implications: identify and remove trauma
tx & prognosis: surgical removal; excellent prognosis

etiology: submucosal connective tissue or PDL hyperplastic lesion
method of transmission: n/a
characteristics: well-defined; firm; pedunculated or sessile; exophytic mass on attached gingiva; smooth-surfaced but may be rough or papillary; exclusively on attached gingiva
dental implications: identify source of irritation and remove it
tx & prognosis: local excision; good prognosis

etiology: biofilm/calculus; medications
method of transmission: n/a
characteristics: multiple different embodiments; association w/ specific drugs or hormonal changes
dental implications: intensive OHI; easier to prevent than treat
tx & prognosis: discontinue drug; gingivectomy

etiology: reactive response to immune system caused by infectious agents or foreign substances that invade the body
method of transmission: n/a
characteristics: lymphadenopathy; varying enlargements of lymphoid tissue
dental implications: rule out cancer
tx & prognosis: not necessary unless large enough to impede oral functions; good prognosis

etiology: unknown
method of transmission: unknown
characteristics: can affect any organ, respiratory system is main target; salivary gland enlargement, xerostomia; firm or spongy papular or nodular growths found on gingiva, lips, palate, buccal mucosa, or tongue
dental implications: good OHI necessary; management of xerostomia symptoms
tx & prognosis: spontaneous resolution possible; corticosteroids; good prognosis

obstruction of submandibular or sublingual salivary glands; associated w/ trauma or sialolith; swelling in floor of mouth resembling a frog's belly; second most commonly occurring mucocele; circumscribed, somewhat fluid but firm with blue-to-reddish color; surgically removed

etiology: paramyxovirus
method of transmission: direct contact w/ saliva or droplets of an infected person
characteristics: swelling of salivary glands and parotid; pain when chewing
dental implications: physician referral
tx & prognosis: bed rest, fluids, analgesics; excellent prognosis

etiology: S. aureus, S. viridans, S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae
method of transmission: n/a
characteristics: painful swelling of affected gland; painful chewing; purulent exudate
dental implications: xerostomia is a major risk factor
tx & prognosis: determine specific bacteria; antibiotics; analgesics; good prognosis

etiology: autoimmune
method of transmission: n/a
characteristics: xerostomia; difficulty swallowing; altered taste; difficulty wearing dentures; gland enlargement; rheumatoid arthritis; keratoconjunctivitis
dental implications: treat xerostomia
tx & prognosis: manage symptoms; xylitol to stimulate saliva production; good prognosis

etiology: unknown
method of transmission: inherited
characteristics: facial asymmetry; mandible often affected (ill-defined radiolucencies)
dental implications: early diagnosis = favorable outcome
tx & prognosis: surgical excision; anti-inflammatory meds; chemo; radiation

etiology: radiation or tissue trauma (burn)
method of transmission: n/a
characteristics: enlarged, painless mass; ulceration of surface secondary to trauma
dental implications: early diagnosis = favorable outcome
tx & prognosis: surgical excision; guarded prognosis

etiology: proliferation of Schwann cells of the nerve sheath
method of transmission: n/a
characteristics: smooth submucosal mass; frequently on tongue; bone of MX or MD; well-defined radiolucency
dental implications: interpret radiograph accurately
tx & prognosis: surgical excision; excellent prognosis

etiology: unknown
method of transmission: n/a
characteristics: palate and tongue
dental implications: biopsy
tx & prognosis: surgical removal; chemo; radiation; varying prognosis

etiology: Schwann cells or connective tissue cells; inherited syndrome
method of transmission: n/a
characteristics: asymptomatic, slow-growing mass commonly located on tongue or buccal mucosa
dental implications: neurofibromatosis; early detection important
tx & prognosis: surgical excision; excellent prognosis

slow-growing, painless, smooth-surfaced mass found in any intraoral site (frequently tongue, hard palate, buccal mucosa); surgical removal

most common soft tissue tumor in the body; rare in oral cavity; smooth, soft, palpable, yellowish mass; biopsy; buccal mucosa and tongue; surgical removal

etiology: proliferation of salivary gland cells and myoepithelial cells
method of transmission: n/a
characteristics: parotid gland; painless, firm mass usually found near angle of MD; palate
dental implications: difficult to remove completely
tx & prognosis: surgical removal

etiology: unknown
method of transmission: n/a
characteristics: rubbery/firm, painless; usually found on parotid near angle of MD; usually bilateral
dental implications: hx of smoking = higher occurrence
tx & prognosis: surgical removal; excellent prognosis

etiology: unknown
method of transmission: n/a
characteristics: parotid; asymptomatic; fluctuant; slightly blue
dental implications: may be present for several years before noticed
tx & prognosis: surgical removal; varying prognosis

etiology: unknown
method of transmission: n/a
characteristics: parotid/submandibular; hard mass
dental implications: early detection necessary
tx & prognosis: surgical removal; good prognosis

etiology: genetic mutations and overproduction of specific gene products including protein p63
method of transmission: n/a
characteristics: palate, upper lip, buccal mucosa; painless mass
dental implications: periodic oral exams to detect abnormalities in early stages
tx & prognosis: surgical excision

etiology: unknown
method of transmission: n/a
characteristics: parotid; firm mass within gland; tender on palpation; facial nerve involvement; palate; pain is early symptom
dental implications: all procedures need to be completed prior to radiation
tx & prognosis: surgical excision; radiation

etiology: inherited mutation of NF1 gene on chromosome 17
method of transmission: autosomal dominant inheritance pattern or new mutation
characteristics: face and lips; multiple neuromas; any intraoral surface; painless, submucosal nodules
dental implications: impaired mastication, swallowing, speaking; trauma likely; complicate oral hygiene -- suggest modifications
tx & prognosis: surgical resection for cosmetic purpose

etiology: genetic -- mutation of protooncogene on chromosome 10
method of transmission: autosomal dominant trait or spontaneous
characteristics: wide-eyed expression; MD prognathism; malocclusion; puffy lips; high and narrow palate
dental implications: early detection necessary
tx & prognosis: removal of thyroid or tumors; good prognosis

etiology: unknown
method of transmission: n/a
characteristics: painless; translucent or bluish with pebbly or bubbly surface; crepitus with palpated; tongue and buccal mucosa
dental implications: damage to facial, lingual, hypoglossal nerves possible -- teach how to manage complications
tx & prognosis: depends on size, location, etc; surgical removal; excellent prognosis

etiology: parotid gland epithelium that becomes entrapped in cervical lymph nodes
method of transmission: n/a
characteristics: lymphoepithelial cyst found in floor of mouth and posterior lateral border of tongue
dental implications: early detection necessary
tx & prognosis: surgical excision; good prognosis

etiology: proliferation of remnants of epithelial cells that lined the thyroglossal tract during embryonic development
method of transmission: n/a
characteristics: midline of neck; well-circumscribed and non-tender
dental implications: remove if found on posterior dorsum of tongue
tx & prognosis: surgical excision; excellent prognosis

etiology: entrapment of epithelial cells along lines of embryonic closure or fusion
method of transmission: n/a
characteristics: painless, soft, doughy, midline mass in floor of mouth
dental implications: can impair chewing, swallowing, speaking
tx & prognosis: surgical excision; excellent prognosis