Soft Tissue Lesions
Traumatic Fibroma
aka Irritation fibroma · Focal fibrous hyperplasia
The most common reactive soft-tissue lesion of the oral cavity, arising from chronic low-grade trauma.
§ figuresFigures (2)
Fig. 1Photo of irritation fibroma on the labial mucosa.
“Irritation Fibroma” · Dentist24 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Verified open-access images only, reproduced for education under their stated licences · no AI-generated or illustrative artwork · Traumatic Fibroma figures pending faculty review.
§ overviewOverview
A focal reactive hyperplasia of fibrous connective tissue in response to persistent local irritation.
§ etiologyEtiology
- 01Cheek biting
- 02Denture trauma
- 03Sharp restoration margins
§ clinicalClinical Features
- 01Smooth, dome-shaped, firm, pink nodule
- 02Usually < 1.5 cm
- 03Buccal mucosa along occlusal plane most common
§ differentialDifferential Diagnosis
- 01Giant cell fibroma
- 02Peripheral ossifying fibroma
- 03Neurofibroma
- 04Lipoma
§ histopathHistopathology
- 01Dense collagenised fibrous connective tissue
- 02Surface stratified squamous epithelium — often hyperkeratotic
§ treatmentTreatment
- 01Conservative surgical excision with removal of irritant
§ prognosisPrognosis
Excellent; recurrence rare if irritant removed.
§ pearlsClinical Pearls
- 01Firm, painless, and non-blanching — clinical diagnosis, histology confirms.
§ evidenceReferences & Evidence
Current Classification
WHO Classification of Tumours Online — Head and Neck
IARC / WHO · 2022
Continuously updated online edition of the WHO head and neck tumour classification.
Evidence summary
Highest level of evidence linked to this page: WHO / Official Classification.
- L1 · Classification — 1
- L6 · Textbook — 3
1 linked source was published from 2024 onwards. Where guidance is limited or contested, rely on the higher-level sources above rather than this summary. Educational use only — not a substitute for clinical judgement.
Content last reviewed
September 2026
Evidence last reviewed
September 2026
Next scheduled review
September 2027
Review status
EVIDENCE REVIEWED
Search latest PubMed evidence
Last literature search: 7 September 2026
Current Classification
IARC / WHO. IARC · 2022
Continuously updated online edition of the WHO head and neck tumour classification.
Histopathology References
Barnes L. CRC Press · 2008
Detailed histopathological reference for head and neck diagnostic criteria.
Textbook References
Neville BW, Damm DD, Allen CM et al.. Elsevier · 2024
Standard reference textbook of oral and maxillofacial pathology used throughout this atlas.
Rajendran R, Sivapathasundharam B. Elsevier · 2020
Undergraduate and postgraduate oral pathology textbook widely used in BDS and FCPS curricula.
Draft — pending faculty review. Educational use only; verify against current guidelines and primary sources before clinical application.