A Simple Approach for the Diagnosis of Oral Ulcers: A Novel Algorithm

Abstract

Ulcers are one of the most common lesions in the oral cavity and are caused by injuries to the oral mucosa for different reasons. These ulcers are clinically characterized by the loss of the whole thickness of the epithelium and the denuding of the underlying lamina propria in the presence of a white/yellow layer called the fibrinoleukocytic layer and are usually accompanied by pain. Due to the wide array of etiologic agents for oral ulcers, pinpointing the etiologic agent can be highly challenging, and the availability of a good diagnostic guide assists in the diagnosis and selection of proper treatment modalities because a fast and accurate diagnosis of some ulcers (e.g., the early stages of squamous cell carcinoma) is crucial for the early initiation of treatment. The present study attempts to present a proper and comprehensive diagnostic guide to facilitate the classification and diagnosis of different oral ulcers.