Recurrent aphthous ulcers 1 article

Recurrent aphthous ulcers are episodic, painful ulcers of the oral mucosa that recur without an obvious local traumatic cause. They commonly affect nonkeratinized sites and are classified clinically into minor, major and herpetiform patterns according to size, number and behaviour. Diagnosis is usually clinical, while persistent, unusually severe or systemic presentations may require investigation for other causes. The term refers to recurrent aphthous disease rather than traumatic ulcers, herpes infection or all oral ulceration.