title: Different modalities for treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis. A Randomized clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The underlying etiology of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is unclear and treatment aims to provide symptomatic and faster relief. This study compared the efficacy of diode laser, a herbal combination of Acacia nilotica and Licorice (A and L) and Amlexanox in the management of RAS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty patients with minor aphthae were selected and randomly divided into four groups of 15 each. Group I and II received adhesive preparations of a herbal mixture of A and L and a 2 mg Amlexanox paste respectively, group III received diode laser and the fourth group (control) used a placebo. Ulcer size, pain score were recorded on days 1, 2 and 5.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Laser group showed the statistically highest mean percentage (%) of reduction in pain scores and ulcer size than the other groups. The mean % of reduction in pain scores was 43.3+20.0 at day 2 and 67.8+21.5 % at day 5 in the laser group while Amlexanox group demonstrated a 29.8 +11.3 and 61.9+24.5 mean % of reduction in pain scores at day 2 and 5 respectively. A and L group showed a lower mean % of reduction in pain scores than laser and Amlexanox groups with a 22.2+10.5 and 43.4+15.8 mean % reduction in pain scores at day 2 and day 5 respectively. Similarly the highest mean % of reduction in ulcer size was seen in the laser group being 52.7+19.8 at day 2 and 85.1+22.0 at day 5, while it was 48.1+16.5 at day 2 and 77.8+28.7 at day 5 in the Amlexanox group and 42.0+11.5 at day 2 and 63.0+20.5 at day 5 in the A and L group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All treatment modalities reduced pain and ulcer size than placebo group. Laser therapy demonstrated the highest percentage of reduction of pain score and ulcer size.Key words:Aphthous stomatitis, laser, herbal plants, Acacia nilotica, Licorice.
authors.affiliation: Professor. Department of Oral Surgery and Medicine, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Sherine A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Nasry
authors.affiliation: Professor. Department of Oral Surgery and Medicine, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Hanaa M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: El Shenawy
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor. Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Dina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mostafa
authors.affiliation: Professor. Department of Pharmacognosy, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Nagwa M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Ammar