Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common chronic disease of the oral cavity, affecting 5-25% of the population. The underlying etiology remains unclear, and no curative treatment is available. The present review examines the existing treatments for RAS with the purpose of answering a number of questions: How should these patients be treated in the dental clinic? What topical drugs are available and when should they be used? What systemic drugs are available and when should they be used? A literature search was made of the PubMed, Cochrane and Scopus databases, limited to articles published between 2008-2012, with scientific levels of evidence 1 and 2 (metaanalyses, systematic reviews, phase I and II randomized clinical trials, cohort studies and case-control studies), and conducted in humans. The results obtained indicate that the management of RAS should be based on identification and control of the possible predisposing factors, with the exclusion of possible underlying systemic causes, and the use of a detailed clinical history along with complementary procedures such as laboratory tests, where required. Only in the case of continuous outbreaks and symptoms should drug treatment be prescribed, with the initial application of local treatments in all cases. A broad range of topical medications are available, including antiseptics (chlorhexidine), antiinflammatory drugs (amlexanox), antibiotics (tetracyclines) and corticosteroids (triamcinolone acetonide). In patients with constant and aggressive outbreaks (major aphthae), pain is intense and topical treatment is unable to afford symptoms relief. Systemic therapy is indicated in such situations, in the form of corticosteroids (prednisone) or thalidomide, among other drugs. Key words:Recurrent aphthous stomatitis, treatment, clinical management.

Introduction: Candidiasis or oral candidiasis is the most frequent mucocutaneous mycosis of the oral cavity. It is produced by the genus Candida, which is found in the oral cavity of 53% of the general population as a common commensal organism. One hundred and fifty species have been isolated in the oral cavity, and 80% of the isolates correspond to Candida albicans, which can colonize the oral cavity alone or in combination with other species. Transformation from commensal organism to pathogen depends on the intervention of different predisposing factors that modify the microenvironment of the oral cavity and favor the appearance of opportunistic infection. The present study offers a literature review on the diagnosis of oral candidiasis, with the purpose of establishing when complementary microbiological techniques for the diagnosis of oral candidiasis should be used, and which techniques are most commonly employed in routine clinical practice in order to establish a definitive diagnosis. Materials and methods: A Medline-PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane search was made covering the last 10 years. Results: The diagnosis of oral candidiasis is fundamentally clinical. Microbiological techniques are used when the clinical diagnosis needs to be confirmed, for establishing a differential diagnosis with other diseases, and in cases characterized by resistance to antifungal drugs. Biopsies in turn are indicated in patients with hyperplastic candidiasis. Staining (10% KOH) and culture (Sabouraud dextrose agar) are the methods most commonly used for diagnosing primary candidiasis. Identification of the individual species of Candida is usually carried out with CHROMagar Candida®. For the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis, and in cases requiring differentiation between C. albicans and C. dubliniensis, use is made of immunological and genetic techniques such as ELISA and PCR. Key words:Clinical, oral candidiasis, microbiology.

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Objective. A study is made of the efficacy and adverse effects of retinoid therapy applied to the white lesions of proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL). Material and methods. The results of retinoid therapy were evaluated in 17 patients diagnosed with PVL. Topical retinoids were used in 5 patients, in the form of two daily applications of 0.1% 13-cis-retinoic acid in orabase for an average of 6.17+/-3.13 months. Systemic retinoids were used in 11 patients, with the administration of 25 mg/day of acitretin in tablet form for an average of 5.41+/-2.02 months. One patient successively received the topical and systemic retinoid formulations. The course and results were evaluated on a blind basis by two investigators. The adverse effects of the medication were also assessed. Results. Clinical improvement was recorded for 7 lesions (38.8%) (six involving systemic treatment and one as a result of topical application). Clinical worsening was recorded in the same proportion (5 lesions with systemic therapy and two with topical treatment), while four lesions (22.4%) showed no changes (one lesion with systemic therapy and three with topical treatment). Adverse effects were documented in all the patients administered the systemic formulation, versus in only one patient administered topical retinoids. The most frequent problems were desquamation and pruritus. Conclusion. Although topical or systemic retinoic acid produces some improvement in about one-third of all patients with PVL, further studies are needed to assess the efficacy and safety of these products, in view of the important percentage of individuals who worsen despite therapy, and the frequent appearance of adverse effects.

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