International Journal of Scientific Research in Dental and Medical Sciences

International Journal of Scientific Research in Dental and Medical Sciences

Peripheral Giant Cell Granuloma of the Mandibular Anterior Gingiva with Superficial Alveolar Bone Resorption and Generalized Periodontitis: A Case Report

Document Type : Case Reports

Authors
Humera Shaikh
Amruta Bansode
Lata Kale
Vibhawari Tayde
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, CSMSS Dental College and Hospital, Maharashtra, India
10.30485/ijsrdms.2026.598932.1714
Abstract
Peripheral giant cell granuloma (PGCG) is a reactive gingival lesion that may clinically resemble other localized gingival overgrowths and, in some cases, may be associated with superficial resorption of the underlying alveolar bone. A 35-year-old woman presented with a localized red-pinkish, pedunculated gingival mass measuring approximately 3.5 × 2 cm in the mandibular anterior region adjacent to teeth 42 and 43. The lesion was firm, lobulated, and prone to bleeding on probing. The patient reported previous local trauma at the same site, while clinical examination revealed marked calculus accumulation, gingival recession, and generalized periodontal findings. Based on the clinical appearance, we initially considered pyogenic granuloma. Intraoral radiographs, panoramic reconstruction, and cone-beam computed tomography demonstrated localized superficial cupping-type resorption of the alveolar crest adjacent to the lesion, without a discrete primary intraosseous lesion. Histopathological examination revealed numerous multinucleated osteoclast-like giant cells within a cellular and vascular fibroblastic connective-tissue stroma, with foci of bone formation, confirming the diagnosis of PGCG. The coexistence of generalized periodontal findings and localized superficial alveolar bone resorption highlights the importance of integrating clinical, periodontal, radiographic, and histopathological findings when evaluating localized giant-cell-rich gingival lesions. This case also emphasizes the need to distinguish peripheral lesions with superficial osseous involvement from primary central giant-cell lesions. The observed association between PGCG, periodontal inflammation, trauma, and bone resorption should be interpreted as an association rather than evidence of causation.
Keywords
Alveolar Bone Loss
Giant Cell Granuloma
Gingiva
Periodontitis
Subjects
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International Journal of Scientific Research in Dental and Medical Sciences
Volume 8, Issue 1
Winter 2026
Pages 45-48

  • Receive Date 02 January 2026
  • Revise Date 14 February 2026
  • Accept Date 27 February 2026
  • Publish Date 01 March 2026