Assessment of immediate pain relief with laser treatment in recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2013 Aug;116(2):189-93. doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2013.02.011. Epub 2013 Apr 23.

Abstract

Objectives: To compare immediate pain relief, healing time between minor recurrent aphthous ulcers treated with a single session of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser and a placebo.

Study design: A prospective clinical study was performed on 25 patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Pretreatment pain levels were recorded using a numerical rating scale. Ulcers were randomized to either receive treatment or placebo. Pain levels were assessed immediately after treatment and after 24 h. Healing was assessed on days 3 and 4, and once every 2 days thereafter for 2 weeks.

Results: Mean pain scores in the laser group were significantly reduced immediately after treatment (0.68 ± 0.6) compared with pretreatment (8.48 ± 0.71; P < .001). In contrast, the placebo group showed little difference in pain scores between pretreatment (8.08 ± 0.70) and immediately after treatment (7.96 ± 0.84). In the laser group, significant improvements in healing times were observed (4.08 ± 0.81 vs. 7.84 ± 0.90 days; P < .001).

Conclusion: CO2 laser therapy in recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) provides immediate pain relief sustained over 24 h, along with accelerated healing time.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Lasers, Gas / therapeutic use*
  • Low-Level Light Therapy / methods*
  • Male
  • Pain / prevention & control*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Placebos
  • Prospective Studies
  • Single-Blind Method
  • Stomatitis, Aphthous / radiotherapy*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Wound Healing / radiation effects
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Placebos