At Distinctive Dentistry by Mullens & Nguyen, we see these firm little growths often enough that patients are sometimes surprised how routine the conversation is. Most fibromas turn up during a regular checkup or as part of our oral cancer screenings, because a close look at the soft tissue in your mouth is the best way to catch any unusual growth early and rule out something more serious. Once we know what we are dealing with, we can talk through whether the fibroma needs to come out and why it might keep showing up in the same spot.
What Causes an Oral Fibroma to Develop
An oral fibroma, sometimes called an irritation fibroma or a traumatic fibroma, is a benign overgrowth of the same fibrous tissue that makes up much of the soft lining of your mouth. It forms in response to repeated, low level irritation rather than an infection or a disease process. Common triggers include biting your cheek or tongue out of habit, a rough edge on a filling or crown, a denture or partial that no longer fits well, or a mouthguard that rubs against the same spot every time you wear it.
Because the tissue keeps healing in the same irritated spot again and again, your body responds by building up extra fibrous tissue instead of fully healing the area. Over time, that buildup forms the smooth, firm, mucosa colored bump most patients notice. It is usually painless and slow growing, which is part of why so many people live with one for months before mentioning it to us.
Why Fibromas Return After Removal
Removing an oral fibroma usually means a simple excisional procedure, and for most patients that is the end of the story. Recurrence tends to happen for one of two reasons. Either the irritant that caused the fibroma in the first place is still active, or a small amount of fibrous tissue was left behind during the original removal.
Research on laser removal of oral fibromas has found that a diode laser can lower the chance of leftover tissue compared to a traditional scalpel, because the laser seals tissue as it cuts and gives a clearer view of the tissue margins. Our soft tissue laser dentistry lets us take out a fibroma with precise margins and minimal bleeding, which gives the area a better chance of healing completely the first time.
Signs an Oral Growth Should Be Checked
Not every bump in your mouth is a fibroma, and not every fibroma needs to come out right away. At your next visit, or sooner if something changes, it helps to mention any growth that fits the following:
- Has stayed for more than two or three weeks without shrinking
- Has changed in size, color, or texture
- Bleeds easily or feels increasingly firm
- Sits in a spot you repeatedly bite or where an appliance rubs
- Makes it hard to chew, speak, or wear a denture or aligner comfortably
Any of these signs is worth mentioning at your next dental exam and cleaning, because catching a growth early keeps treatment simple and gives us a chance to address the irritation before it causes a second bump.
Trust Distinctive Dentistry by Mullens & Nguyen With Your Care
Dr. Mullens and Dr. Nguyen, along with Dr. Shara Myers, take a close look at the soft tissue in your mouth at every visit, not just your teeth. That habit is what lets us catch small growths like fibromas early, explain plainly what we see, and remove them cleanly when treatment is the right call. We also spend time pinpointing what is causing the irritation in the first place, whether that means smoothing a rough filling, adjusting a denture, or fitting you for a mouthguard, so you are not back in the same chair for the same bump a year from now.
If you have noticed a bump, sore, or firm spot in your mouth that has not gone away, do not wait for your next six month cleaning to have it looked at. Request an appointment with our Jacksonville office, and we will take a look, explain what we find, and put together a plan that solves the problem instead of just treating the symptom.
