Low Level Laser Therapy and Omega-3 in the Management of Recurrent Aphthous Sto matitis

Abstract

Introduction: In view of the importance and prevalence of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis(RAS) there is an urgent need for searching about an effective therapy that is less expensive, easyto use and readily available with no side effects. Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT ) and Omega-3were considered as possible treatment options of RAS.Aim of the work: The aim of the current study was to compare the usefulness of LLLT with orwithout omega-3 versus omega-3 alone in treatment of RAS and evaluate the immune-modulatoryeffect of systemically administered omega-3.Materials and method: 45 patients were suffering from RAS were randomly assigned intoeither GӀ: (LLL T), GӀӀ: (omega-3) and GӀӀӀ: (omega-3 plus LLL T). The comparison was assessedclinically via calculating: The reduction in ulcer surface area by using Visual Basic Program, theeffectiveness indices (EI ) of pain improvement at day 1 and day five, average duration of ulcerepisodes, and the number of new ulcer outbreaks at base line and then monthly for the following 6months. Immunologically via: Measuring the amount of IL2, determination of CD4+CD25+ high Tregulatory cells in blood samples at base line (BL), 3 and 6 months.Results: GӀ showed significant reduction in ulcer surface area and significant decrease in painsensation, without significant change in all other parameters. GӀӀ showed no significant changein the degree of pain sensation in spite of reduction in ulcer surface area in addition to significantchange in all other parameters. GӀӀӀ showed significant improvement in all clinical parameterswhich is compatible with the changes occurred in the immunologic parameters. At BL nosignificant deference was observed in between the three groups. For the follow up measurements:The reduction in ulcer surface area and (EI ) of pain improvement showed significant differencecomparing GӀӀ with GӀ and GӀӀӀ in favor of the last mentioned two groups with no differencein between both of them, regarding the monthly clinical variables and immunologic parametersshowed significant difference comparing GӀ with GӀӀ and GӀӀӀ in favor of the GӀӀ and GӀӀӀ with nodifference in between both of them.Conclusions: Using LLLT with omega - 3 fatty acid in management of RAS gave the mostfavorable clinical and immunologic results. The used Visual Basic Program was effective incalculating the difference of ulcers surface areas and the digital data enabled fair statistical analysis.