Promoting Wound Healing in Minor Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis By Non-Thermal, Non-Ablative CO2 Laser Therapy: A Pilot Study

Background and Objective: This randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) was designed to evaluate the effects of non-thermal, non-ablative CO2 laser therapy (NACLT) to promote wound healing in minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis (miRAS). Study design/materials and methods: Ten patients with 20 minor aphthous ulcers completed this study. Each patient had two discrete aphthous ulcers that had developed within 72 h before enrollment. One of the ulcers was randomly allocated to be treated with NACLT and the other one served as placebo. Before laser irradiation, a layer of transparent, non-anesthetic oral gel with high water content was placed on the laser and placebo lesions both. The CO2 laser device was operated using 1 W power in defocused continuous mode, scanning rapidly over the lesion. The placebo lesion was irradiated with the same laser, but with an inactive probe. The healing times of the lesions were recorded by a blinded physician. Results: The healing period was significantly shorter in ulcers treated by NACLT than in those treated with placebo (p = 0.02). The process was not painful and anesthesia was not required. There were no visible side effects after NACLT and during follow-up periods. Conclusions: The results of this RCT suggest that single session of NACLT could be used to promote wound healing in minor aphthous ulcers, with no visible side effects.