title: An evaluation of different treatments for recurrent aphthous stomatitis and patient perceptions: Nd:YAG laser versus medication.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to determine the anxiety levels of patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) prior to therapy with the Nd:YAG laser or medication, and to compare the effects of these different treatment methods on the degree of post-treatment pain, discomfort, and functional complications (eating and speech) experienced.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients with RAS-related oral problems were included in the study. Levels of pre- and post-treatment pain and functional complications were assessed at patient visits on days 1, 4, and 7.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results indicated that patients treated with the Nd:YAG laser had less post-treatment pain and fewer functional complications, and reported immediate relief of pain and faster healing (p +/- 0.05). However, only after 5 d was there a significant reduction in the pain levels of the patients treated with medication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that the Nd:YAG laser has better patient acceptance, shorter treatment time, and lower rates of pain and post-treatment adverse events among patients with RAS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Adnan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tezel
authors.forename: Cankat
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kara
authors.forename: Veysel
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Balkaya
authors.forename: Recep
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Orbak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012008:Recurrence; D013281:Stomatitis, Aphthous / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy*