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Oral Pathology

212 - Effect of Photobiomodulation on Pain in Pediatric Aphthous Ulcer Patients

Saturday, May 23, 2026
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM PST
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Jessica Hochschuler, DMD, MPH

    PGY-2 Pediatric Dental Resident
    University of Texas — Houston, Houston, TX
    UT Health Houston
    Houston, Texas, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • BC

    Brett Chiquet, DDS, PhD

    Professor and Chair
    UTHealth Houston
    Buffalo, New York, United States

  • Juliana Barros, DDS, MS

    Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry & Prosthodontics
    The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
    The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
    Houston, Texas, United States

  • Elsa Echeverri, DDS

    Part time faculty member
    The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
    University of Texas Houston School of Dentistry
    Houston, Texas, United States

  • SP

    Shalizeh Patel, DDS, MEd

    Associate Dean for Patient Care
    The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
    The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
    Houston, Texas, United States

  • KP

    Kathy Pazmino, DDS, MS

    The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • BC

    Brett Chiquet, DDS, PhD

    Professor and Chair
    UTHealth Houston
    Buffalo, New York, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • AC

    Antonio D. Cardenas, DDS, MS

    Pediatric Dentistry Postgraduate Program Director
    UTHealth
    Houston, Texas, United States

Abstract:

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of laser photobiomodulation combined with Magic Mouthwash compared with Magic Mouthwash alone in reducing aphthous ulcer-related pain in pediatric patients.

Methods: This 12-month clinical trial recruited patients aged 5-19 years with at least one aphthous ulcer from both the UTHealth School of Dentistry graduate pediatric dentistry clinic and a local private practice, Echeverri Dental Center. Participants were randomized to receive Magic Mouthwash (diphenhydramine-antacid, 1:1) either alone or in combination with a standardized PBM protocol. Outcomes included pain intensity (VAS), functional measures, oral health-related quality of life, and medication, topical agent, or oral rinse; outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after treatment, and 24 hours after treatment. Descriptive statistics, Student’s t tests, and Fisher’s exact tests were performed, with P < .05 considered statistically significant.

Results: Nineteen participants were enrolled in this study (control group: n = 10; experimental group: n = 9). The mean age was 10.8 ± 3.7 years, and the sample was predominantly male (57.9%). Groups were comparable at baseline across demographic, clinical, pain, functional, and quality-of-life measures (all P > .05). Both groups demonstrated significant reductions in VAS pain scores from baseline to immediately post-treatment (experimental: P = .0008; control: P = .003). At 24 hours post-treatment, pain reduction was significant in the experimental group (P = .006) but not in the control group (P = .06). Within both the experimental and control group, significant improvements 24 hours post-treatment were noted in comfortable eating (P = .02 and P = .03), respectively.

Conclusions: Magic Mouthwash with or without adjunctive PBM reduced pain. PBM was associated with more sustained pain reduction at 24 hours; however, between-group differences did not reach statistical significance. Larger, adequately powered studies are needed.