Which condition is characterized by a white patch on the buccal mucosa that disappears when stretched?

In this scenario, leukoedema is the condition characterized by a white patch on the buccal mucosa that disappears when stretched. This benign condition typically presents as a grayish-white, opalescent lesion found primarily on the buccal mucosa. One of its distinctive features is that the white patch can be significantly reduced or even disappear when the mucosa is stretched, which differentiates it from other conditions that may also present as white patches in the oral cavity.

The appearance of leukoedema is often related to the thickness of the epithelium and can be more prominent in individuals who smoke or have a specific genetic predisposition. Recognizing this unique characteristic helps clinicians distinguish leukoedema from more serious pathologies like leukoplakia, which is a potentially malignant condition that does not change with stretching. Similarly, lichen planus and oral candidiasis have their own defining features and behaviors that do not fit the description of disappearing upon stretching. Hence, the identification of leukoedema aligns with the clinical presentation described in the question.