Congenital epulis: A rare lesion

Congenital epulis, a rare benign soft tissue tumour from the alveolar crest is smooth-surfaced, pedunculated and lobulated. It is almost always located on the gingiva and is found predominantly on the maxilla. It can obstruct the oral passage by its size and induce airway obstruction and feeding problems. Spontaneous involution after birth is rare. Newborns with a diagnosis of congenital epulis should be immediately subjected to the simple conservative surgical excision to restore vital functions, improve quality-of-life and decrease parental anxiety. Wide radical excision is not recommended as no recurrences have been described even after incomplete excision. The parents of the newborn with congenital epulis should be assured of this benign pathology and the simple treatment. This report documents the presentation and management of a congenital epulis of the maxillary alveolar ridge found in a newborn female and treated with simple conservative surgical excision.