What is epulis and what does it mean?

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What is epulis and what does it mean?​

Author: Vanessa Ngan, Staff Writer, 2007. What is epulis? Epulis literally means of the gums and is a non-specific term used for tumours and tumour -like masses of the gingiva (gums).
What does an epulis look like on a dog?
The two conditions can look the same, and can even occur at the same time! With an epulis, you may notice bad breath (halitosis), drooling or bleeding from the mouth. As the mass becomes larger, your dog may have trouble eating. A visit to the vet may reveal a mass along the gum.
How can you tell the difference between epulis and gums?
Although it’s hard to tell one epulis from another, these are generally pink masses that are the same color as the gums. They are firm to the touch and may have a bumpy, almost cauliflower-like appearance. These tumors are benign (non-cancerous) but they grow quickly.

Where is the epulis located in the mouth?​

This epulis most commonly occurs on the gingiva near the front of the mouth between two teeth. It may be sessile or pedunculated and is composed of fibrosed granulation tissue. Fibrous epulides are firm and rubbery, and pale pink in color.

What is a benign epulis in dogs?
An epulis in dogs is essentially a benign tumor (meaning non-cancerous). It’s scary when you find any unusual lump or bump on a dog, especially when it’s in the oral cavity. This post will help you tell the difference between a benign epulis or epulides (plural) versus something that could be malignant.
What does epulis tumor look like?
The tumor’s color is very close to the color of the gums that is why it is hard to detect a growing Epulis. The tumor starts with a smooth and flat surface. You might see a stalk like figure on the gums. Bleeding gums, particularly the area that is most affected by the Epulis tumor. Difficulty in breathing.
Congenital epulis is also referred to as congenital granular cell myoblastoma, granular cell epulis of infancy, and granular cell fibroblastoma. It is not clear why congenital epulis occur but they are thought to originate from primitive mesenchymal cells of neural crest origin.