Dental implications: should be excised completely so that the lesion does not reoccur; if related to pregnancy, may shrink or completely diminish after the pregnancy

Treatment and prognosis: may subside when hormones are consistent but will need to be surgically removed if not; chlorhexidine gluconate; warm salt water rinses; lasers and cryotherapy; prognosis is excellent

Characteristics: bright red or pink depending on the age of the lesions; various forms and appearances possible

Etiology: drugs, hormones, foreign irritants, and systemic involvement such as leukemia

Method of transmission: neither a contagious entity nor an infectious lesion. An irritant producing an inflammatory response usually initiates this response

Characteristics: found forward of the molar region on the gingiva or edentulous ridge; distinguished by multinucleated giant cells

Dental implications: can cause bone resorption online pyogenic granuloma

Method of transmission: localized and non-contagious

Treatment and prognosis: if removed, prognosis is excellent; periosteum and PDL must be removed to avoid recurrence

characteristics: petechiae are tiny, perfectly round, red-purple spots that appear as result of minute intradermal or submucosal hemorrhage; purpura refers to focal, circumscribed hemorrhagic lesions in the mucosa that are larger than petechiae but smaller than 1cm -- associated w/ platelet abnormalities, bleeding disorders, trauma, or Rocky Mtn Spotted Fever -- symptom rather than disease entity; ecchymoses are hemorrhagic spots caused by extravasation of blood into tissue -- larger than 1cm -- associated w/ bleeding disorders and hemophilia

dental implications: properly identify disease to offer proper treatment

method of transmission: not contagious or transmitted

tx & prognosis: treat underlying cause or remove sources of trauma

etiology: hemorrhages in soft tissue doe to trauma or blood dyscrasias

characteristics: several forms, often seen in combination with each other -- difficult to differentiate from a licehnoid rxn -- Wickham striae

etiology: worrying excessively; chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology

dental implications: home regimen; professional scaling and prophy; minimal abrasion

tx & prognosis: flucinonide, betamethasone, and clobetasol (topical corticosteroids)

characteristics: fiery red and bulbous gingiva -- velvety red with distinctive clearing in areas where products don't contact the tissue

dental implications: determine cause to treat properly

tx & prognosis: determine allergen and eliminate it

etiology: delayed cell-mediated immune responses

characteristics: white or red depending on location and predisposing factors -- may cause burning and change in taste sensation -- white cheesy pseudomembranes

dental implications: xerostomia & poor oral hygiene; need proper home care

method of transmission: not transmitted to another individual -- HIV patients are especially vulnerable

tx & prognosis: nystatin, statin, clotrimazole; reinfection possible; prognosis depends on health of pt

etiology: fungal infection caused by Candida -- most common fungal pathogen

characteristics: common in debilitated pts (AIDS/elderly) -- blue to purple hue -- hard palate and gingiva most affected

dental implications: lesions may be focal or diffuse and are easily overlooked

characteristics: velvety red or dark pink; broad and coalescing or localized and circumscribed; has many appearances

dental implications: biopsy may be necessary

tx & prognosis: depends; may be biopsied; radiation or chemo

etiology: alcohol and tobacco use, dietary deficiencies and lifestyle factors; chronic friction and exposure to irritants

characteristics: dark blue to purple and may be found on lingual surfaces; blood supply is disrupted by compression and resumes w/ release; thrombus may be present

tx & prognosis: none; excellent prognosis

characteristics: lymphatic vessels that vary in size and location; found on tongue, cheeks, and floor of mouth; multilocular lesions with some transparency

dental implications: lesions do not involute; a thrill may be observed

etiology: occur during embryogenesis and are present at birth

characteristics: lesions are bright red and occur on lips and tongue; can rupture, hemorrhage, and appear and ulcer when traumatized; papule are 1-2mm and will blanch

etiology: autosomal dominant condition; "spider veins"; blood vessels are small collections of dilated capillaries

dental implications: profuse bleeding can cause problems with dental tx; concern for brain abscesses and generalized infections

tx & prognosis: prognosis is guarded depending on severity; pt must be monitored throughout life; anemia is possible; complications with liver and spleen; precautions are needed during tx

dental implications: evaluate, diagnose, watch closely

characteristics: deep red to blue enlargement with a raised appearance; blanch with pressure to differentiate from hematoma

etiology: one of the most common lesions in the mouth and is a benign proliferation of blood vessels found in childhood

tx & prognosis: most require no tx, sometimes laser or sclerosis solution; excellent prognosis