If you’ve spotted a bump, lump, or unusual growth on your dog’s gums, you’re probably worried. The good news is that most gum growths in dogs turn out to be epulides, the most common benign oral tumor in dogs, and they’re highly treatable when caught early. This guide walks you through what epulis means, what the different types look like, how they’re treated, and what it all costs.
What Is an Epulis in Dogs?
An epulis is a tumor that grows on the gums, typically near or between the teeth. The plural is “epulides.” These growths develop from the periodontal ligament, the tissue that connects each tooth to the surrounding jawbone. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, peripheral odontogenic fibromas (the most common form of epulis) are the most common benign oral tumors in dogs. They’re rare in cats.
While the word “tumor” can sound alarming, most epulides are benign, meaning they don’t spread to other parts of the body. They can appear in dogs of any age, though they’re found most often in dogs six years and older, with an average diagnosis around age 7 or 8 years.
You may also see your veterinarian use newer terminology. The term “epulis” is an older umbrella term that simply means “on the gum.” Today, veterinary pathologists prefer more specific names based on the tumor type and location, like peripheral odontogenic fibroma or acanthomatous ameloblastoma. For a quick medical reference on this condition, see Embrace’s dental epulis overview.
Types of Epulis in Dogs
Three main types of epulides exist in dogs. Each behaves differently, which affects how your vet will treat it.
Peripheral odontogenic fibroma (formerly called fibromatous epulis) is the most common type, accounting for roughly 57% of all epulides, according to Veterinary Partner (VIN). These tumors grow outward from the gums, often attached by a stalk of tissue, giving them a pendulous, mushroom-like appearance. They tend to be pink, smooth, and slow growing. They do not invade bone.
Ossifying epulis (also called POF-ossifying type) makes up about 23% of epulides. It looks similar to the fibromatous type but is firmer because it contains bony tissue. It may attach to underlying bone, making removal slightly more complex, but the behavior is still benign.
Acanthomatous ameloblastoma (formerly called acanthomatous epulis) accounts for roughly 18% of epulides. Compared to the other types, this one has a rougher, cauliflower-like surface and tends to bleed more easily. Although it’s technically classified as benign because it does not spread to distant organs, it is locally aggressive. It invades surrounding bone and tissue, which is why treatment requires more extensive surgery.
Type | Also Called | Appearance | Behavior | Typical Treatment | Prognosis |
Peripheral Odontogenic Fibroma | Fibromatous epulis | Pink, smooth, mushroom-like on a stalk | Slow growing, does not invade bone | Mass removal + tooth extraction | Excellent (~95% cure rate) |
Ossifying Epulis | POF-ossifying type | Similar to above, firmer | Slow growing, may have bony attachment | Surgical removal, sometimes cryosurgery | Very good |
Acanthomatous Ameloblastoma | Acanthomatous epulis | Cauliflower-like, rough, may bleed | Locally aggressive, invades bone, does NOT metastasize | Partial jaw removal or radiation | Good with treatment (median survival 2+ years) |
Symptoms: What an Epulis Looks Like
A dog epulis in the mouth often starts as a small, pinkish bump growing from the gum line, either between or over the teeth. In the early stages, you might mistake it for swollen gums. It’s usually the same color as the surrounding gum tissue, which can make it easy to miss.
As the growth gets bigger, you may notice:
A visible lump or mass on the gums that seems to be getting larger
Bad breath (halitosis) that doesn’t improve with dental care
Drooling more than usual, sometimes with bloody or pink-tinged saliva
Dropping food or reluctance to chew on one side
Loose teeth near the growth
Pawing at the mouth or face
Reluctance to let you touch their head or open their mouth
Facial swelling in advanced cases
These tumors can sometimes be confused with gingival hyperplasia, a condition where excess gum tissue grows around the base of the teeth. Only a biopsy can distinguish between the two, which is why any new growth on your dog’s gums warrants a vet visit.
Veterinarians encourage pet owners to have any new lumps or bumps checked as soon as possible. That goes for lumps in the mouth as well.
What Causes Epulis in Dogs?
The specific cause of epulides is not fully understood. They are generally considered a reaction to chronic irritation or trauma, such as a tooth rubbing against the gum. This is one reason brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds are more prone to them: their crowded mouth anatomy creates more friction between teeth and gum tissue.
No single genetic or hereditary cause has been definitively linked to epulides, though certain breeds do develop them more frequently. Most epulis tumors appear in dogs older than six years.
Breeds at Higher Risk for Epulides
Any dog can develop an epulis, but some breeds are predisposed. Brachycephalic breeds with their shortened muzzles and crowded teeth are at higher risk overall. Boxers have the strongest documented association with epulides among all breeds. A Royal Veterinary College study identified gum masses (epulides) as a condition where Boxers face substantially higher risk compared to dogs overall. Other breeds with elevated risk include:
Shetland Sheepdogs
American Bulldogs
Cocker Spaniels
Old English Sheepdogs
English Bulldogs
Males may be slightly more likely to develop epulides than females, particularly the fibromatous and ossifying types. Middle-aged to older dogs (6 to 10 years) are most commonly affected.
How Veterinarians Diagnose Epulis
Many epulides are discovered during routine dental checkups or wellness exams, before the dog shows obvious symptoms. If you notice a growth at home, schedule a vet appointment promptly. Your veterinarian will start with a visual oral exam, noting the mass’s size, location, color, and texture.
From there, diagnosis typically involves:
Dental X-rays help determine whether the growth has affected nearby teeth or bone. They’re particularly useful for distinguishing between the less invasive fibromatous types and the bone-invading acanthomatous type.
Biopsy and histopathology is the only definitive way to confirm the type of epulis. Your vet will either take a small tissue sample (incisional biopsy) or remove the entire mass (excisional biopsy), then send it to a veterinary pathologist for microscopic analysis. This distinction matters enormously because treatment differs significantly depending on the type.
Bloodwork is typically run before any procedure requiring anesthesia to make sure your dog is healthy enough for sedation.
Advanced imaging (CT or MRI) may be recommended for larger or more aggressive-looking masses to evaluate bone involvement and plan surgery, especially if acanthomatous ameloblastoma is suspected.
Epulis Treatment: Surgery and Other Options
Surgery is the standard treatment for all types of epulis, but the extent of surgery varies based on the tumor type.
For peripheral odontogenic fibromas and ossifying types, treatment involves removing the mass along with the associated tooth and thoroughly cleaning out the tooth socket (curettage). This removes any remaining periodontal ligament cells that could cause regrowth. Complete surgical removal is curative in roughly 95% of cases, according to veterinary dental literature. Most general practice veterinarians can perform this procedure.
For acanthomatous ameloblastomas, treatment is more involved. Because these tumors invade bone, surgery often requires removing a portion of the jaw, called a mandibulectomy (lower jaw) or maxillectomy (upper jaw). While the idea of removing part of your dog’s jaw sounds frightening, dogs adapt remarkably well. Most continue eating, drinking, and living comfortably after healing. These surgeries are typically performed by board-certified veterinary surgeons or dental specialists.
Radiation therapy is an alternative for acanthomatous cases when surgery isn’t feasible, or as a follow-up treatment. It can achieve good tumor control, though it’s more expensive and requires multiple treatment sessions.
Size matters here: the larger the tumor grows, the more complex and costly treatment becomes. If your vet recommends removal, acting sooner rather than later leads to simpler surgery and better outcomes.
Epulis Surgery Cost for Dogs
Treatment costs for epulis vary considerably depending on the type, size, and location of the tumor. For help understanding how pet insurance costs work, see our cost guide.
Simple removal (fibromatous or ossifying types): The combined cost of anesthesia, oral mass removal, histopathology, and pain medication typically totals $300 to $800 at a general practice. Larger masses or those requiring more complex extraction may exceed this range.
Jaw surgery (mandibulectomy or maxillectomy): When the acanthomatous type has invaded bone, partial jaw removal performed by a specialist can cost $3,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the extent of surgery and geographic location.
Radiation therapy: If radiation is recommended instead of or in addition to surgery, costs can range from $6,000 to $12,000+, depending on the facility and number of sessions.
Additional diagnostic costs may include pre-surgical bloodwork ($100 to $300), dental X-rays ($150 to $300), and CT or MRI imaging ($1,000 to $2,500) if needed for surgical planning.
Getting the growth evaluated while it’s still small can save significant money. What starts as a $500 procedure can become a $5,000+ treatment if the tumor grows or turns out to be more aggressive than expected.
Recovery After Epulis Removal
Recovery after epulis removal depends on the extent of surgery. For straightforward mass removals, most dogs bounce back within a few days.
During the recovery period, you can expect:
Soft food only for 10 to 14 days to protect the surgical site
Dissolvable stitches that typically fall out within 2 to 4 weeks
Blood-tinged saliva for the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery, which is normal
Pain medication prescribed by your vet to keep your dog comfortable
No hard chew toys or bones until the surgical site has fully healed
For dogs that undergo partial jaw removal, recovery takes longer, usually a few weeks. Your veterinary team will provide detailed aftercare instructions. Many owners are surprised by how quickly their dogs adjust. Most dogs eat comfortably within days of surgery, and the cosmetic change is often minimal.
After any epulis surgery, regular oral checkups are important. New epulides can form over time in different locations, and catching them early makes repeat treatment much simpler. Make it a habit to peek inside your dog’s mouth during grooming or playtime so you can spot any new growths promptly.
Can Epulis Kill a Dog? Prognosis and Life Expectancy
No, an epulis itself does not kill dogs. Epulides do not metastasize, meaning they do not spread to the lungs, liver, or other distant organs. This is one of the most important things to understand about this diagnosis: unlike malignant oral cancers such as melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma, epulides stay local.
Dogs with treated epulides can live completely normal lifespans. For the common fibromatous and ossifying types, complete surgical removal is curative in the vast majority of cases. For acanthomatous ameloblastomas treated with surgery, studies show a median survival time exceeding two years, and many dogs live much longer.
The real risk of an untreated epulis is local damage. Left alone, any epulis will continue to grow. It can interfere with eating, push teeth out of alignment, cause chronic pain, and lead to secondary infections. Acanthomatous types can destroy jawbone, eventually making surgery more difficult or less effective.
Early detection and treatment lead to excellent outcomes. If your vet finds an epulis, prompt action gives your dog the best chance for a full, comfortable life.
Epulis vs. Other Mouth Growths in Dogs
Not every lump in your dog’s mouth is an epulis. Several other conditions can produce similar-looking growths, and treatment varies dramatically depending on the diagnosis. Here’s a quick comparison:
Gingival hyperplasia is an overgrowth of normal gum tissue, not a true tumor. It’s especially common in Boxers and other brachycephalic breeds. It looks similar to a fibromatous epulis, which is why biopsy is so important.
Oral papillomas (warts) are caused by a virus and typically appear in young dogs. They look like small, whitish, cauliflower-shaped bumps and usually resolve on their own within weeks.
Oral melanoma is a malignant cancer and the most common oral tumor overall in dogs. Unlike epulides, melanoma often appears as a dark-pigmented mass and can spread aggressively to other organs.
Squamous cell carcinoma is another malignant oral cancer that can look similar to an aggressive epulis. It tends to appear red, ulcerated, and irregular.
Because epulides, benign conditions, and malignant cancers can all look alike to the naked eye, your vet will always recommend a biopsy before finalizing a treatment plan. As of 2025, biopsy with histopathology remains the gold standard for diagnosing any oral mass in dogs.
How Pet Insurance Helps with Oral Tumor Costs
Oral tumor treatment costs add up quickly, especially if your dog needs advanced diagnostics, specialized surgery, or radiation. Pet insurance can significantly reduce these out-of-pocket expenses.
Embrace Pet Insurance covers dental illnesses up to $1,000 per policy year, and dental accidents and surgical treatments are covered up to the policy’s annual maximum, subject to your deductible and reimbursement rate. Epulis treatment sometimes falls outside the dental illness sub-limit, however.
Because epulis involves a tumor requiring surgical removal, your claim may be covered under the broader accident and illness policy rather than the dental illness sub-limit. Check with Embrace’s claims team for details on how your specific situation would be handled. Either way, the anesthesia, biopsy, dental surgery, follow-up care, and pain medication associated with epulis treatment can all be eligible for coverage.
The key is having coverage in place before a diagnosis. Once a condition is identified, it’s considered pre-existing and won’t be covered by a new policy. If your dog hasn’t been diagnosed yet, now is a good time to explore your options. You can get a personalized quote for your dog in about a minute.