Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recurrent apthous stomatitis (RAS) and recurrent apthous ulcers are common oral ulcers which are associated with a significant amount of pain and reduction in quality of life, where traditional mainstay of treatment is topical steroids. METHODOLOGY: A case control study was undertaken on 90 patients seeking treatment for minor RAS and was divided into three groups. An index ulcer was selected and treated with 0.1% tacrolimus, 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide, and placebo, respectively, for 1 week. RESULTS: At the end of day 2, the mean percentage reduction was 44.16%, 79.82% at day 5 and 94.26% at day 7 in the tacrolimus group, which was comparatively higher than the other two groups at day 2, day 5, and day 7. Recurrence was reported in all three groups but was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The results of the study suggest that 0.1% tacrolimus is more effective as an immediate mode of treatment than 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide or placebo in the management of recurrent aphthous ulcers.