David –
I am always very dubious about
submitting suggested diagnoses, as the last thing I am is a practicing clinician.
However, the oral condition you describe does indeed sound a lot like the one described in the article below.
The condition is called "necrotizing sialometaplasia." It is a rare form of oral lesion that is
not cancerous.
From the article linked below:
"At recall, however, the lesion was noted to have resolved spontaneously and completely…""The characteristic clinical presentation of necrotizing sialometaplasia is due to non-neoplastic ulceration of tissues overlying minor salivary glands…""There is no specific treatment required for necrotizing sialometaplasia. Lesions disappear spontaneously, presumably after ischemic injury heals.""Localized trauma appears to a risk factor for this uncommon oral lesion. Recent oral surgery, ill-fitting dentures, endotracheal tubes, etc. have been listed as causes."And also of interest:
"A recent study estimated that nearly one-half of all “clinical diagnoses” of oral lesions are incorrect…"Just a guess, of course, but if it does turn out to be this, the condition is, again, non-malignant, and really does just "go away."
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0030665713001418