Gingival enlargements present an abnormal overgrowth of soft gingival tissues covering the alveolar projections of both jaws. Usually they are asymptomatic and have chronic progression. They occur as a result of a plaque-induced or non-plaque-induced process. In some cases, genetic susceptibility is observed. Gingival hyperplasia can lead to discomfort, pain, functional disorders such as some difficulties in speech, in the chewing process, aesthetic and psychological problems. There are some characteristic clinical symptoms such as: erythema, edema, changes in the gingival texture, bleeding on probing, inflammatory infiltrate, and lateral proliferation of the junctional epithelium. This article aims to provide a literary review of the different types of gingival overgrowths and highlights the basic etiopathogenetic factors and clinical findings that will assist clinicians in differentiating these conditions.