Don't Confuse this Structure with a Mass!

Have you heard of buccal (aka facial) lymph nodes?

These are lymph nodes that are only present in some dogs and are situated on the muzzle. They can become enlarged due to reactivity or neoplasia like any other lymph node and are often confused with a mass or tooth root abscess. They most commonly become enlarged in young dogs, usually in association with teething.

Check out this great example of reactive lymphadenopathy in a young, teething dog: