RECURRENT APHTHOUS STOMATITIS - AN UPDATE

Recurrent aphthous ulceration or recurrent aphthous stomatitis is the most common oral mucosal disease known to human beings. Despite much c linical and research attention, the causes remain poorly understood, t he ulcers are not preventable, and treatment is symptomatic. The most common presentation is minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis: recurrent, round, clearly defined, small, painful ulcers that heal in 10 to 14 d ays without scarring. Major recurrent aphthous stomatitis lesions are larger (greater than 5 mm), can last for 6 weeks or longer, and freque ntly scar. The third variety of recurrent aphthous stomatitis is herpe tiform ulcers, which present as multiple small clusters of pinpoint le sions that can coalesce to form large irregular ulcers and last 7 to 1 0 days. Diagnosis of all varieties is usually made after clinical exam ination. Many local and systemic factors have been associated with the se conditions, and there is evidence that there may be a genetic and i mmunopathogenic basis for recurrent aphthous ulceration. Management of this condition depends on the clinical presentation and symptoms and includes analgesic, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory drugs. As dent al clinicians and researchers become better trained in oral medicine a nd stomatology, it is anticipated that the pathophysiology, prevention , and treatment of recurrent aphthous ulceration will improve in the f uture.