Öz
The oral cavity consists of tissues with different histological structure and function, and benign, premalignant and malignant lesions may occur. For lesions with malignancy potential; the terms premalignant, potential malignant, precancerous, intraepithelial neoplasia are used. Malignant lesions may originate from premalignant lesions. Premalignant lesions are morelikely to turnin to malignant characters than normal tissues. However, when diagnose dearly, the risk of malignant transformation is reduced and treatment is simpler for children which in growth and development process.
The etiological factors of the precancerous lesions of the oral mucosa are not fully understood, but the main factors may be addictive habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption, or arecanut chewing. These harmful habits increase dramatically in children, especially at an early age, and create a public health problem. Oral cancers and precancerous lesions are rarely encountered in childhood. It is stated that people with nutritional deficiencies, genetic predisposition and people with human papillomavirus constitute a high risk group for premalignant lesions. Dentists play an important role in the early diagnosis of premalignant / malignant lesions of the oral region in preschool children and can make a contribution in identifying high-risk patients. Aim of this review was to provide recentin formation about the diagnosis, clinical features, etiology and treatment approach of premalignant lesions in children.