title: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis: etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.
abstract: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is a very common condition seen frequently by dentists in practice. Although the majority of cases are benign and resolve in less than two weeks, these ulcerations may be indicative of underlying systemic diseases ranging from vitamin deficiency to autoimmunity. Awareness of these correlations can help the dentist make or aid the diagnosis of potentially serious conditions. There are treatments of which the practitioner should be aware that may ameliorate the pain of the ulcerations or shorten their duration. The diagnosis and management of this important condition is reviewed in this article.
authors: Division of Oral Medicine, Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors: Jeffrey M
authors: JM
authors: Casiglia
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D001361:Avitaminosis / Q000150:complications; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000150:complications; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000150:complications; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D012008:Recurrence; D013256:Steroids; D013281:Stomatitis, Aphthous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013283:Stomatitis, Herpetic / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D013256:Steroids