The recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common oral mucosal disease. In spite of constant research and clinical care the cause remain obscure. The disease has three essential forms. The most common is the RAS minor with small, well defined, round ulcers, that are painful and heal in 10 to 14 days. In the major form they are larger, can last for 6 weeks or longer and frequently scar. The third, is the herpetiform shape with multiple lesions that can coalesce and last 7 to 10 days. The diagnosis is made after the clinical exam. Many local and systemic factors can be associated with the disease and there is evidence that a immunogenetic basis can be present. Management of the disease depends on the clinical presentation and includes immunomodulators drugs, topical and systemic steroids and anesthetics and antimicrobial solutions.
Aphthous stomatitis; ulcers; oral lesions
