The Peripheral Giant Cell Granuloma in Edentulous Patients: Report of Three Unique Cases Osman A. Etoza Ahmet Emin Demirbasa Mehmet Bulbulb Ebru Akayc ABSTRACT The peripheral giant cell granuloma (PGCG) is a rare reactive exophytic lesion taking place on the gingiva and alveolar ridge usually as a result of local irritating factors such as trauma, tooth extrac- tion, badly finished fillings, unstable dental prosthesis, plaque, calculus, chronic infections, and im- pacted food. This article presents 3 cases of PGCG that presented at the same location of the edentu- lous mandible of patients that using complete denture for over ten years. (Eur J Dent 2010;4:329-333) Key words: Peripheral giant cell granuloma; Chronic irritation; Edentulous patients; Complete denture. INTRODUCTION Giant cell granuloma lesions (peripheral and central) are benign, non-odontogenic, moderately rare tumors of the oral cavity. They develop pe- ripherally (within gingiva) or centrally (in bone).1 The peripheral giant cell granuloma (PGCG) is a rare reactive exophytic lesion taking place on the gingiva and alveolar ridge, also known as a giant- cell epulis, giant-cell reparative granuloma, os- a Erciyes University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kayseri, Turkey. b Gaziantep University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Prosthodontics, Gaziantep, Turkey. c Erciyes University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Kayseri Turkey. Corresponding author: Dr. Mehmet Bulbul Gaziantep Universitesi, Dishekimligi Fakultesi, Protetik Dis Tedavisi Anabilim Dali, Kampus, Gaziantep, Turkey. E-mail: mbulbul@gantep.edu.tr July 2010 - Vol.4 teoclastoma, or giant-cell hyperplasia. Etiologic factors are not known, although it is thought that it may be due to an irritant or aggressive factor such as trauma, tooth extraction, badly finished fillings, unstable dental prosthesis, plaque, calcu- lus, chronic infections, or impacted food.2,3 Clini- cal appearance of PGCGs can present as polyploi- dy or nodular lesions, primarily bluish red with a smooth shiny or mamillated surface, stalky or sessile base, small and well demarcated.2,4,5 Pain is rare and in most cases growth of the lesion is induced by constant trauma.3 PGCGs usually origi- nate from either the periodontal ligament or mu- coperiosteum. The PGCG is located in the region of the gingiva or edentulous alveolar margins, frequently in the lower jaw.3 Histological features of PGCG reveal a non-capsulated mass of tissue containing a large number of young connective tissue cells and multinucleated giant cells.4 Hem- 329 European Journal of Dentistry