Laser: A revolutionary boon in dentistry

Abstract

Introduction: Aphthous ulcers, commonly referred to as canker sores, are autoimmune and ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa. Due to the indeterminate etiology of these lesions, it is often difficult to find a definitive cure and current treatment options are aimed toward ameliorating the symptoms. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the treatment of aphthous ulcers. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of parameters such as reduction of pain, burning sensation, and healing time. Materials and Methods: A total of 10 patients who presented with aphthous ulcers were included in the study. A single visit application of LLLT was given to each patient followed by recall visits. The first visit consisted of three sessions of low-level laser applications, lasting about 45 s, with a gap of about 30-60 s between each session, for a total laser application time of about 3 min. The pain scores and burning sensation were evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) before and immediately post-operative laser applications, at third visit and at fifth visit. Results: For evaluation of the reduction in pain and burning sensation, the mean of the reduction in VAS scores was evaluated for all the patients; P = 0.004 was highly significant in all the study groups. Conclusion: LLLT is an effective modality for the treatment of aphthous ulcers. It provides immediate relief from pain, burning sensation and promotes healing time also.