Gazal G, Alsalhani AB, Tarakji B, Nassani MZ. Evidence-based review and clinical practice recommendations for the diagnosis and management of common oral mucosal lesions. World J Exp Med 2026; 16(1): 115535 [DOI: 10.5493/wjem.v16.i1.115535]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Mohammad Zakaria Nassani, DDS, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Restorative and Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Dar Al Uloom University, Northern Ring Road, Exit 7, Al Falah District, Riyadh 13314, Saudi Arabia. mznassani@dau.edu.sa
Research Domain of This Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
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Minireviews
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This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Mar 20, 2026 (publication date) through Mar 20, 2026
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Publication Name
World Journal of Experimental Medicine
ISSN
2220-315x
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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA
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Gazal G, Alsalhani AB, Tarakji B, Nassani MZ. Evidence-based review and clinical practice recommendations for the diagnosis and management of common oral mucosal lesions. World J Exp Med 2026; 16(1): 115535 [DOI: 10.5493/wjem.v16.i1.115535]
World J Exp Med. Mar 20, 2026; 16(1): 115535 Published online Mar 20, 2026. doi: 10.5493/wjem.v16.i1.115535
Evidence-based review and clinical practice recommendations for the diagnosis and management of common oral mucosal lesions
Giath Gazal, Anas B Alsalhani, Bassel Tarakji, Mohammad Zakaria Nassani
Giath Gazal, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Aleppo University, Aleppo 12212, Syria
Anas B Alsalhani, Department of Dentistry, Vision Colleges, Riyadh 13226-3830, Saudi Arabia
Anas B Alsalhani, Department of Histology and Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hama, Hama 12345, Syria
Bassel Tarakji, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
Mohammad Zakaria Nassani, Department of Restorative and Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Dar Al Uloom University, Riyadh 13314, Saudi Arabia
Author contributions: Gazal G and Nassani MZ conceptualized and designed the study; Gazal G drafted the original manuscript; Alsalhani AB, Tarakji B, and Nassani MZ critically revised the manuscript; All authors conducted the literature review and participated in the analysis and interpretation of data; All authors read and approved the final submitted version.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
Corresponding author: Mohammad Zakaria Nassani, DDS, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Restorative and Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Dar Al Uloom University, Northern Ring Road, Exit 7, Al Falah District, Riyadh 13314, Saudi Arabia. mznassani@dau.edu.sa
Received: October 20, 2025 Revised: November 19, 2025 Accepted: January 20, 2026 Published online: March 20, 2026 Processing time: 147 Days and 9.9 Hours
Abstract
Oral mucosal lesions are a common but diagnostically complex clinical challenge in general dental practice, comprising conditions from benign ulcers to potentially malignant disorders and systemic presentations. Early diagnosis and evidence-based management are crucial to prevent complications, including malignant changes. This review provided a practical protocol for the diagnosis and management of oral mucosal lesions for general dental practitioners. Drawing from National Health Service guidelines and retrieved literature via PubMed and Scopus, the findings were synthesized into structured clinical tables outlining diagnostic pathways, first-line and escalated treatment options, and referral criteria. The framework enables classification by clinical appearance and anatomical site, integrating pharmacological therapies with validated herbal agents such as Nigella sativa, honey, chamomile, and Aloe vera for their mucosal healing properties. An emphasis was placed on differentiating clinically similar conditions and addressing neuropathic disorders like burning mouth syndrome with agents such as amitriptyline. The current review advocated for an evidence-based, stepwise approach that enhances diagnostic accuracy, optimizes treatment outcomes, and aids safe, timely referrals in the management of oral mucosal lesions.
Core Tip: This minireview provided general dental practitioners with a practical, evidence-based guide for the diagnosis and management of common oral mucosal lesions. It introduced a clinical classification framework based on lesion appearance, site, and risk, together with evidence-based first-line and adjunctive treatment options. Diagnostic pathways, severity-based escalation protocols, and integrative herbal therapies were also outlined. By integrating conventional and validated complementary therapies into a single decision-support framework, this minireview aimed to enhance diagnostic accuracy, support safe and effective management, and bridge conventional and integrative strategies in the care of patients with oral mucosal lesions.
