Macchie bianche o leucoplachia? Quando preoccuparsi?

Materials and methods. Three main international databases (PubMed, Embase and Scopus) were consulted to retrieve relevant articles on this issue.Results and conclusions. Several oral conditions may appear as "white lesions" on oral mucosa, without necessarily being referred to leukoplakia, nor associated to a higher risk of malignant transformation. Clinicians are therefore expected to formulate appropriate differential diagnoses as well as to manage these patients. The most complex cases will be referred to oral medicine specialists and explanations will be given as to the nature of leukoplakia and the relevant treatment options, currently still under debate in the international scientific community.Objectives. Oral leukoplakia is a quite frequent lesion of the oral mucosa, easily detectable during dental practice. The World Health Organization includes this condition among potentially malignant disorders, exposing patients to a significant risk of developing oral cancer. The purpose of the present monograph is to provide the dentist with the necessary tools for proper diagnosis and management of patients affected by leukoplakia.