Which growth is commonly seen in the oral cavity and is linked to an inflammatory process?

The growth commonly seen in the oral cavity that is linked to an inflammatory process is indeed epulis. An epulis is a benign gingival growth that often arises in response to local irritation or trauma, such as gingivitis, chronic irritation from dental plaque, or injury to the soft tissues of the mouth. It typically presents as a pedunculated or sessile mass on the gums and is characterized by a proliferation of fibrous tissue, thus representing a reactive lesion rather than a neoplastic process.

In contrast, leukoplakia is a clinical term that refers to white patches in the oral cavity that can have various underlying causes, including potential malignancy and chronic irritation, but is not itself a growth. Fordyce spots are ectopic sebaceous glands that are completely benign and not related to inflammation. Malocclusion refers to misalignment of teeth and does not involve growths or inflammatory processes. Therefore, epulis stands out as the growth associated with inflammatory changes in the oral cavity.