What type of oral ulcer is known to heal without leaving a scar?

The correct answer is that a minor aphthous ulcer is known to heal without leaving a scar. Minor aphthous ulcers are small, shallow lesions that typically occur on non-keratinized mucosal surfaces in the mouth, such as the inside of the cheeks, lips, or the tongue. They are characterized by a painful, round or oval shape with a gray or whitish center surrounded by a red halo.

These ulcers usually heal spontaneously within one to two weeks, and because of their shallow nature, they do not damage the underlying tissue extensively. This limited depth of involvement allows for complete regeneration of the mucosal surface, resulting in no scarring once the ulcer has healed.

In contrast, major aphthous ulcers tend to be larger, deeper lesions that can take longer to heal and may leave scarring. Herpes Simplex ulcers are also associated with the herpes virus, leading to vesicular lesions that can cause significant damage and may leave scarring. Necrotizing ulcers, while less common, can involve considerable tissue destruction and are likely to result in scarring as well. Therefore, the characteristic of minor aphthous ulcers healing without scarring is what distinguishes them in this context.