OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to clinically determine the efficacy of individualised homeopathy in the treatment of minor recurrent aphthous ulceration (MiRAU). DESIGN & INTERVENTION: A randomized, single blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of individualised homeopathy. One hundred patients with minor aphthous ulcer were treated with individualised homeopathic medicines or placebo and followed up for 6 days. Patients received two doses of individualised homeopathic medicines in the 6C potency as oral liquid at baseline and 12 h later. Pain intensity and ulcer size were recorded at baseline during and at the end of the trial (mornings of days 4 and 6). RESULT: All 100 patients completed treatment. Between group differences for pain intensity and ulcer size were statistically significant at day 4 and at day 6 (P<0.05). No adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that homeopathic treatment is an effective and safe method in the treatment of MiRAU.

Jejunal biopsies in 33 patients with troublesome recurrent aphthous ulceration seen over one year showed eight with flat mucosa compatible with coeliac disease. All remitted completely on a gluten-free diet, both clinically and haematologically, and the aphthous ulceration did not recur. Gluten sensitivity is aetiologically important in patients with recurrent aphthous ulceration and flat mucosa, and patients with recurrent ulceration should undergo jejunal biopsy.

OBJECTIVE:The aim of the study was to determine whether low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has an analgesic effect in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS).

STUDY DESIGN:A randomized single-blinded placebo-controlled trial was conducted with LLLT (wavelength, 809 nm; power, 60 mW; pulse frequency, 1800 Hz; duration, 80 seconds per treatment; dose, 6.3 J/cm(2)) in 40 patients with RAS. The intervention group was treated with LLLT on 3 occasions, with a 1-day interval. The control group was treated similarly, without any laser power. Pain perception (visual analog scale [VAS] rating) and patients' experience of eating, drinking, and brushing teeth was registered.

RESULTS:VAS rating decreased (day 0 until day 2) from 84.7 to 31.5 (LLLT) and from 81.7 to 76.1 (placebo) (P<.0001). LLLT also relieved the difficulty of drinking, eating, and brushing teeth.

CONCLUSIONS:LLLT reduced the pain and the inconvenience of eating, drinking, and brushing teeth for patients with RAS, compared with placebo.