Etiology- unknown
Transmission- na
Characteristics- appear depapillated areas on the dorsal surface of the tongue, pink or erythematous surrounded by yellowish white lines, atrophic and often reddened patches
Dental implications- GT can be confused with other pathologic conditions
Treatment- none needed but can be treated with topical corricosteroids
prognosis- GT is normal

Etiology- physical irritation of the oral mucosa may produce whitish plaques known as frictional keratosis, and appears as a result of physical irritation
Transmission- na
Characteristics- variably sized, whitish plaque that does not rub off, keratinization is a feature of chronicity and an irritant can often be discerned on close inspection
Dental implications- the cause of this disease should be identified and eliminated, lesions that do not resolve may be confused with other pathologic conditions
Treatment- Removal of irritant
Prognosis- Will resolve once irritant is eliminated

Etiology- areca nut or betel nut chewing, genetic predisposition and genetic mutation, and nutritional deficiencies
Transmission- none
Characteristics-Decreased flexability of the tongue , soft palate and uvula, problems with speech, eating , and swallowing , floor of the mouth becomes leathery, and the gingiva becomes fibrotic and pale, dark staining of the teeth
Dental implications- Patients who chew betel nut should be encouraged to stop the habit, have regular oral examinations, and receive appropriate education
Treatment- intervention
Prognosis- depends on severity of the symptoms

Etiology- unknown
Transmission- na
Characteristics- he hair- like projections can be whitish or, more commonly brown or black , representing pigments produced by oral flora or exogenous staining due to tobacco smoking.. Patients are asymptomatic but often complain of the unsightly appear ance. The elongated papillae provide an environment that encourages continued growth of the oral flora, which may result in halitosis. Infection with Candida albicans is also an occasional occurrence. The elongated dorsal tongue papillae and white to brownish- black coloration are characteristic of this condition.
Dental implications- none
Treatment-Predisposing factors for this condition should be corrected if possible. Gentle physical debridement with a toothbrush or tongue scraper is helpful. antimicrobial mouth rinses, such as chlorhexidine gluconate, are prescribed. Essential oil mouth rinses may also be recommended. If a candidal infection is present, antifungal therapy should be given.
Prognosis- Candidal infection may be present

Etiology- caused by species of Candida, usually albicans , which is a yeast- like fungus. Most patients harbor yeasts, a variety of predisposing factors are present that appear to alter the oral environment or systemic status of the host and allow an opportunity for the organism to grow, spectrum antibiotic therapy Systemic, topical, or aerosolized corticosteroid, Smoking, Xerostomia, Immune system disorders, and diabetes
Characteristics- Acute pseudomembranous candidiasis manifests as multiple, raised, whitish, cordlike plaques with variable surrounding erythema. The plaques are always multiple, and it is not unusual for large areas of the oral mucosa to be affected. Because it represents an infection, patients are almost always symptomatic and complain of pain, discom fort, or burning. The plaques can be scrapped off with a tongue blade or stiff instrument. Most often, you will see erythema because with out the dead plaque covering it, the inflammation in the underlying tissues, representing the body's reaction to the infection
Dental implications- Candidiasis is an infection that needs to be diagnosed and treated. The tendency for this infection to occur in immunocompromised patients should prompt the dental professional to carefully review the patient's medical history for any sign of undiagnosed systemic problems
Treatment- antifungal medications are used for treatment. Many clinicians treat the infection with topical medications such as nystatin oral suspension or clotrimazole troches . Effective systemic medication is also available
Prognosis- after treatment lesions should heal

Etiology- localized form of frictional keratosis due to irritation of the cheek during function
Transmission-na
Characteristics-a linear white line along the occlusal plane of the buccal mucosa. Lesions are often bilateral, variably raised, and occasionally scalloped, corresponding to the embrasures between the teeth . Rarely, similar linear keratoses are seen on the lateral surfaces of the tongue.The appearance of a linear white ridge on the buccal mucosa is characteristic of this condition.
Dental implications- none
Treatment- none
Prognosis- is not considered premalignant so prognosis is goood

Etiology- Physical irritation causes lesions associated with cheek or lip chewing
Transmission- none
Characteristics-abrades the tissue, leaving a whitish, irregular surface. Lesions are often bilateral, and acute injury can produce areas of redness. Importantly, lesions are confined to the occlusal plane and are not located in the mucobuccal folds where it would be impossible to incur damage due to chewing. Similar lesions can be seen on the labial mucosa or lateral borders of the tongue.The location of the lesion and the characteristic irregular, white plaques distinguish this condition from other similar lesions.
Dental implications- disruptive habits should be discouraged and can be detrimental to tissue
Treatment- none
Prognosis- excellent

Etiology: Heavy smokers often develop keratotic changes of their palatal mucosa. This occurs most frequently in pipe smokers. Heat may play a greater role than irritation from the combustion products of burnt tobacco, as is the case with reverse smoking
Transmission- na
Characteristics-irritation of the minor salivary gland ducts as they exit onto the palate.This in turn produces inflammation and results in small elevations with central erythema. Teeth are often significantly stained. The whitish palate with small red dots combined with a history of smoking is characteristic of this condition
Dental implications- its presence can alert the clinician to the increased risk of development of oral carcinoma in the patient . The clinician can use the presence of the lesion as an educational opportunity to show the patient visible consequences of his or her tobacco habit. The patient should be offered tobacco cessation assistance.
Treatment- smoking cessation
Prognosis- palatal changes will resolve after treatment

Etiology: Many chemicals or drugs are caustic and can burn the mucosa if they come in contact with it. Generally, this is caused by a group of chemicals that were not intended for topical placement on oral mucosa
Transmission- na
Characteristics-Most chemical and thermal burns manifest as white plaques of variable size , Early or mild lesions do not rub off, whereas more severe lesions can often be removed with pressure from a tongue blade , leaving a raw and occasionally bleeding base. The ability to scrape a burn off depends upon the extent of the injury and is not a prerequisite clinical finding for the diagnosis. Chemical and thermal burns appear as localized white plaques that may or may not be rubbed off.
Dental implications-May be confused with other conditions, patient should be educated about use of medication
Treatment- removal of offending chemical
Prognosis- will heal once chemical is removed

Hyperplastic candidiasis is also caused by a species of Candida, usually albicans.
Transmission- na
Characteristics-manifests as a thickened, often raised, whitish plaque that does not rub off. Lesions commonly affect the tongue or commissure. The lesions have no distinctive clinical features and are indistinguishable from leukoplakia.
Dental implications- This lesion is rare, but it is consid premalignant . Chronic forms of candidiasis are also an indication that the person's immune system may be deficient
Treatment- include systemic antifungals, topical application of vitamin A and carotenes, laser surgery, and conventional surgical excision
Prognosis- treatment does not necessarily prevent the development of epithelial dysplasia and progression to cancer

Etiology- is caused by an infection with Epstein-Barr virus secondary to immunosuppression. HL is linked to the immunosuppression that results from infection with the human immunodeficiency virus
Transmission-na
Characteristics-produces whitish plaques that do not rub off. They usually affect the lateral borders of the tongue, often bilaterally, where they appear as vertical, raised ridges or sometimes as irregular flattened lesions. Patients are typically asymptomatic.
Dental implications- HL is a significant diagnosis because it is a relatively accurate predictor of rapid progression from HIV latent infection to AIDS
Treatment- Antiviral therapy
Prognosis- improvement or resolution of the lesion after treatment ; however, recurrence is not uncommon.

Etiology-physical irritation of tissues leads to malignancy.The most important etiologic factor associated with leukoplakia is tobacco, both smoked and topical.
Transmission- na
Characteristics-1. Speckled leukoplakia-These lesions exhibit both red and white components 2. Verrucous leukoplakia- These lesions show an irregular or verrucous surface texture. 3. Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia- is a particularly aggressive form of leukoplakia that tends to be multifocal and progres sive and normally shows a high incidence of progression to carcinoma. This form of leukoplakia exhibits a tendency to form on the gingival tissues, where it is associated with the greatest potential for malignant transformation. Leukoplakia is not clinically distinguishable from other white lesions that do not rub off.
Dental implications-none
Treatment-Biopsies should be performed on leukoplakias
Prognosis-A small number of leukoplakias actually represent early invasive cancer, but one that was discovered before the cells could replicate sufficiently to produce a mass or swelling