Mucosal lesions

There are several types of oral mucosal lesions that may cause pain and which may be difficult to differentiate from odontogenic pain. For this and other reasons, oral soft tissues must be carefully investigated in all patients complaining of some kind of discomfort in the oral region. Investigation is carried out in good light by direct visual observation and with a mouth mirror. Tenderness to palpation of the mucosa and other oral soft tissues is also investigated gently using the fingertips.

Ulcers (buccal ulcer shown in main window) and herpes are frequent causes of oral pain and may not always be easily identified and located. Wounds and lesions caused by dental procedures and materials such as monomeric resins, mechanical trauma and allergic reactions are also typical causes of oral pain. Although infrequent, primary or secondary lesions of several diseases of the oral cavity and other regions of the body may be found in the oral cavity. Biopsy and/or consultation with oral surgeons and pathologists must be done in all cases where there may be uncertainty as to the aetiology and type of the findings.