Traumatic Ulcer on Tongue Mimicking a Malignant Ulcer

Traumatic ulcer (TU) is a common lesion of the oral mucosa caused by mechanical, thermal, or chemical irritation. It may clinically mimic malignant ulcers, leading to diagnostic challenges. This case report describes a 63-year-old female presenting with a painful, nonhealing ulcer on the left lateral border of the tongue for one month. Clinical examination revealed a solitary indurated ulcer with everted margins, raising suspicion of malignancy. However, the presence of a sharp cusp of a grossly carious tooth in close proximity a traumatic etiology. The offending tooth was extracted, and the lesion showed complete healing within one week, confirming the diagnosis of traumatic ulcer. The absence of recurrence on follow-up further ruled out malignancy. This case highlights the importance of careful clinical evaluation and elimination of local irritants before considering invasive diagnostic procedures.