Is oral ulcer treated by the department of internal medicine or surgery in dentistry?

The treatment of oral ulcers typically falls within the scope of conservative dentistry. Conservative dentistry primarily manages various oral conditions, including oral mucosal diseases, dental hard tissue disorders, pulp diseases, and periapical diseases. As a type of oral mucosal disease, oral ulcers can usually be diagnosed and treated in conservative dentistry. However, if an oral ulcer fails to heal over a prolonged period, shows surface erosion, appears cauliflower-like, and feels firm upon touch, it may be a malignant (cancerous) ulcer, which requires referral to oral and maxillofacial surgery. Oral and maxillofacial surgery specializes in surgical management of oral mucosal lesions, tooth loss, tooth extractions, and similar conditions. For initial diagnosis and treatment of oral ulcers, it is recommended to consult conservative dentistry; if the condition is complex or a cancerous ulcer is suspected, referral to oral and maxillofacial surgery should be considered.