Recurrent aphthous ulcers are one of the most common lesions of the oral mucosa. Most currently available treatment methods aim to relieve symptoms, speed up healing and prevent ulcer recurrence. The current study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Aloe vera gel with that of amlexanox 5% oral paste in the treatment of recurrent small-type aphthous ulcers. The study was conducted on 60 patients (27 males and 33 females) attending the Department of Oral Medicine at the Faculty of Dentistry at Damascus University. The sample age ranged between 15 to 25 years, with an average age of 20.3 ± 2.4 years. Patients were diagnosed with recurrent aphthous ulcers of the small type. The sample was divided into three groups with equal numbers of patients (n=20 for each group) according to the provided drug: Aloe vera, amlexanox, and the placebo groups. Patients' ulcer size was measured on day 0 of treatment, and the ulcer size reduction was assessed on day 3 and day 5. The pain was also recorded at the first visit, and then pain reduction was assessed during follow-up visits. The mean ulcer size on the fifth day of treatment was 1.85 mm², 4.05 mm², and 6.20 mm² in the Aloe vera, the amlexanox, and the placebo groups, respectively. The differences between groups were significant (p=0.003). The mean pain on the fifth day was 0.80 cm, 1.60 cm, and 3.20 cm in the Aloe vera, the amlexanox, and the placebo groups, respectively. The differences between groups were significant (p=0.026). Within the limits of the current trial, both treatment groups proved effective in accelerating ulcer healing with the superiority of Aloe vera compared to amlexanox, as it achieved a greater reduction in ulcer size and pain when assessed on the fifth day of treatment.

Neutropenia can be caused by a variety of congenital and acquired factors, with Chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression being the most common cause. Neutropenia significantly affects oral health, leading to the manifestation of oral lesions such as ulcers, fungal and viral infections, and mucositis. This study aims to investigate oral lesions in patients with hematological malignancies who developed neutropenia after chemotherapy. This cross-sectional study included 50 patients with hematological malignancies. The participants were divided into 2 groups: the first group consisted of 25 patients with hematological malignancies who developed chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and the second group consisted of 25 patients with hematological malignancies who did not develop chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Patients were assigned to one of the groups based on the absolute neutrophil count (ANC). Full oral clinical examination was performed to determine the presence of oral lesions. In the Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia group, the most common lesion was ulceration, observed in 12 patients (48%). Fungal infections were the second most common, present in 5 patients (20%), followed by viral infections in 4 patients (15%), and mucositis, which occurred in a single patient (4%). A statistically significant association was found between neutropenia and the presence of oral ulcers (P value = .015). In contrast, in the Chemotherapy group, oral changes were less frequent. Fungal infections were the most common, occurring in 4 patients (15%), followed by oral mucositis in 3 patients (12%). Ulceration and viral infections were the least common, each observed in 1 patient (4%). The frequency of various forms of oral ulcers increases with the severity of neutropenia. However, there was no significant increase in other oral lesions in patients with neutropenia.

Medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) is a serious debilitating disease resulting from long‐term treatment with Antiresorptive drugs such as Bisphosphonates or Denosumab, which significantly affects patients' quality of life. A 43‐year‐old female patient with stage 4 breast cancer and treated with Zoledronic Acid for bone metastases was referred to the Department of Oral Medicine at the Faculty of Dentistry, Damascus University. The main complaint was pain in the right maxilla. Intraoral examination showed an exposure of necrotic bone in the right maxillary region with presence of purulent exudate. The treatment plan was discussed with the patient. Treatment included resection of all necrotic bone and application of Advanced platelet‐rich fibrin (A‐PRF) clots and membranes. Follow‐up and outcome were conducted by clinical measures to assess healing and recurrence (6‐month follow‐up). Topical treatment with A‐PRF demonstrated a reduction in pain and resulted in complete wound healing within 30 days. A‐PRF stimulates the release of growth factors and chemotaxis involved in tissue repair mechanisms. This method seemed to be effective in the treatment of MRONJ.

Recurrent herpes labialis (RHL) is a lifelong oral health issue that affects about one-third of the world’s population, causing frequent, painful, and discomfort lesions. This randomized, triple-blinded study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of olive leaf extract (OLE) compared to acyclovir cream (Veramid 5%) in managing vesicular stage of RHL lesions. Forty patients were randomly divided into two equal groups and were instructed to apply the prescribed medication five times a day for five consecutive days. The evaluation was carried out by measuring the pain intensity on the first day before the treatment was applied (T0), 48 h (T1), and 7 days later (T2). Additionally, the day when the pain completely healed and the day when the lesion’s crust fell off spontaneously were recorded. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Mann-Whitney test at a significance level of α = 0.05. The study results indicated that there were no significant differences in pain intensity between the two groups during the three evaluation times: T0 (P = 920), T1 (P = 0.596), and T2 (P = 1.00). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the day when the pain was completely healed (P = 0.697). However, the OLE showed a statistically significant advantage regarding the day the lesions’ crust fell off (P = 0.040). In conclusion, OLE may be a potential alternative treatment for RHL. Trial registration: isrctn.com ID: ISRCTN87606522, 04/09/2023.

Key Clinical Message: A case of major aphthous‐like ulcer was described in a 50‐year‐old patient. The patient showed the main signs of aphthous stomatitis painful ulcer, 1–2 cm in diameter, located on the ventral of the tongue, buccal mucosa, and the palate. These ulcers persisted for more than 3 weeks. The patient's self‐administration of a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) was suggested as the leading cause of aphthous‐like ulcers in this case. ulcers were treated with dexamethasone mouthwash and low‐level laser therapy (LLLT).