**4.2 Malignant tumors of the gingiva**

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor of the gingiva. It may be exophytic, presenting as an irregular outgrowth, or ulcerative, appearing as flat, erosive lesions. Malignant melanoma is a rare oral tumor that tends to occur in the hard palate and maxillary gingiva of older persons. It is usually darkly pigmented and is often preceded by localized pigmentation. Fibrosarcoma, lymphosarcoma, and reticulum cell sarcoma of the gingiva are rare; only isolated cases have been described in the literature [6].

## **4.3 False enlargement**

False enlargements are not true enlargements of the gingival tissues but may appear as such as a result of increases in size of the underlying osseous or dental tissues. The gingiva usually presents with no abnormal clinical features except the massive increase in size of the area. It may be caused by increased underlying bone tissue or presence of normal underlying dental tissue [2].
