Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Focal epithelial hyperplasia is an oral infection caused by a virus similar to the wart-producing papillomavirus. This infection causes many pink or whitish and often flat-topped mucosal masses to arise. These masses are painless and very contagious. They often occur in children and adolescents, some of which can remain into adulthood. The infection causes no significant problem to the host unless a mass appears on the visible lip. If desired, the lesions can be removed by laser destruction or conservative surgery.