Aphthous ulcers are a common lesion of the mucous membranes, and can be extremely painful. In most cases, only short-term relief can be obtained, and in severe cases treatment may involve topical or systemic steroids. An article by Sharon-Buller and Sela, published in Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology and Endodontology, describes 2 case reports in which CO2 laser treatment was used to obtain relief from pain caused by large aphthous lesions in the mouth. In one case, a 65-year-old male undergoing radiation treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma suffered from ulcerative lesions, and after the lesions were coated with a thin film of Elmex gel, a CO2 laser beam was applied with a circular motion for 5 seconds. The patient experienced immediate pain relief, and the lesions were completely healed within 7 days. In the second case, a 50-year-old woman with recurrent aphthosis stomatitis experienced an ulcerative lesion on the lower labial frenulum that caused pain and difficulty in speaking and eating. The lesion was coated with Elmex gel and then treated with a CO2 laser (10.6 nm wavelength, continuous wave at 1 to 1.5 W), using an angulated handpiece in a circular motion for 5 seconds. Pain relief was immediate, and the lesion healed within 7 days. The authors note that experience indicates that recurrence of the ulcer at the same site is unlikely.
Source: Dental Abstracts, Vol. 49, No. 6, 2004
