Non-Cochrane · intervention · PM41408255
Effectiveness of 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide compared with those of other therapies for minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Al-Zaghruri Anas Saeed, Moaleem Mohammed M Al, Alqutaibi Ahmed Yaseen, et al. · BMC oral health · 2025 · PubMed · doi:10.1186/s12903-025-07358-4
Findings
Population Patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis without systemic disease
6 findings
| 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide | Hyaluronic acid 0.2% | Pain intensity (VAS) Day 7 · Dental/oral medicine clinics (minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis) | MD 0.29 [-0.66, 1.24] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 90 participants |
| 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide | Other treatments (pooled: Salvizan gel, diode laser, Rhus coriaria, Punica granatum gel) | Healing time (days) Day 7 · Dental/oral medicine clinics (minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis) | MD 1.18 [0.22, 2.15] GRADE not reported 4 studies · 200 participants |
| 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide | Other treatments (pooled: thyme honey, curcumin, nanobased triamcinolone, hyaluronic acid, Rhus coriaria) | Ulcer size Day 7 · Dental/oral medicine clinics (minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis) | MD 0.72 [0.33, 1.10] GRADE not reported 6 studies · 282 participants |
| 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide | Other treatments (pooled: curcumin, hyaluronic acid) | Pain intensity (VAS) Day 7 · Dental/oral medicine clinics (minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis) | MD 0.39 [-0.30, 1.09] GRADE not reported 3 studies · 148 participants |
| 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide | Placebo | Healing time (days) Day 7 · Dental/oral medicine clinics (minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis) | MD 1.95 [-0.92, 4.82] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 80 participants |
| 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide | Placebo | Pain intensity (VAS) Day 7 · Dental/oral medicine clinics (minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis) | MD 0.16 [-0.16, 0.47] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 69 participants |
Included primary studies 43
Open in Studies| Study | Year | Also included by | Outcomes it informs here | Trial data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbasi 2023 The effect of sage (Salvizan gel) compared to triamcinolone acetonide on the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a double-blinded… DOI:10.1186/s12903-023-02861-y | 2023 | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Deshmukh 2014 Comparison of effectiveness of curcumin with triamcinolone acetonide in the gel form in treatment of minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis:… DOI:10.4103/2230-973x.138346 | 2014 | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| El-Haddad 2014 DOI:10.3290/j.qi.a32241 | NR | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Ghalwash 2024 Efficacy of thyme honey in the management of oral aphthous ulcers: A randomized controlled clinical trial DOI:10.1111/eos.13032 | 2024 | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Giroh 2019 Efficacy of aloe vera and triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% in recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A preliminary comparative study DOI:10.4103/jiaomr.jiaomr_203_18 | 2019 | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Huo 2021 Effect of different treatments on recurrent aphthous stomatitis: laser versus medication DOI:10.1007/s10103-020-03166-0 | 2020 | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Kia 2020 New concentration of curcumin orabase in recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A randomized, controlled clinical trial DOI:10.1016/j.hermed.2020.100336 | 2020 | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Koray 2016 The Efficacy of Hyaluronic Acid Gel in Pain Control of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis DOI:10.19070/2377-8075-1600055 | 2016 | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Lavaee 2022 The Comparative Effects of Rhus Coriaria and Triamcinolone in Patients with Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: A Single‐Blinded Randomized… DOI:10.1155/2022/5855067 | 2022 | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Nayak 2023 Comparison of Effectiveness of Hiora SG Gel With Triamcinolone Acetonide Gel in Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis DOI:10.7759/cureus.40403 | 2023 | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Ofluoglu 2017 An evaluation of the efficacy of a topical gel with Triester Glycerol Oxide (TGO) in the treatment of minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis… DOI:10.4317/medoral.21469 | 2017 | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Raman 2020 Topical Curcumin and Triamcinolone Acetonide in Recurrent Minor Aphthous Ulcers: A Pilot Trial DOI:10.5005/jp-journals-10024-2901 | 2020 | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Ramesh 2021 Assessment of Clinical Efficacy of Microbiome and Topical Hyaluronic Acid Gel Combination Therapy in Minor Aphthous Ulcer Management – A… DOI:10.4103/jiaomr.jiaomr_236_20 | 2021 | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Rezvani 2025 Comparison of Two Oral Pastes Containing Triamcinolone and Rhus Coriaria L. for Treating Minor Aphthous Lesions DOI:10.1016/j.identj.2024.09.008 | 2025 | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Seyyedi 2020 The Effect of Carbon Dioxide Laser on Aphthous stomatitis Treatment: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial DOI:10.34172/jlms.2020.s11 | 2020 | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Sharma 2018 A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial on Clinical Efficacy of Topical Agents in Reducing Pain and Frequency of Recurrent… DOI:10.2174/1745017901814010700 | 2018 | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Shrivastava 2018 Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of topical amlexanox 5% oral paste and triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% oral paste in the treatment of… DOI:10.4103/jiaomr.jiaomr_40_18 | 2018 | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Tavangar 2019 DOI:10.30476/dentjods.2019.44913 | NR | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Umpreecha 2023 Efficacy and safety of topical 0.1% cannabidiol for managing recurrent aphthous ulcers: a randomized controlled trial DOI:10.1186/s12906-023-03886-0 | 2023 | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Abbasi 2023 The effect of sage (Salvizan gel) compared to triamcinolone acetonide on the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a double-blinded… PMID:36934268 | 2023 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Bhalang 2013 Acemannan, a Polysaccharide Extracted from <i>Aloe vera,</i> Is Effective in the Treatment of Oral Aphthous Ulceration DOI:10.1089/acm.2012.0164 | 2013 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Bhalang 2013 Acemannan, a polysaccharide extracted from Aloe vera, is effective in the treatment of oral aphthous ulceration. PMID:23240939 | 2013 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Deshmukh 2014 Comparison of effectiveness of curcumin with triamcinolone acetonide in the gel form in treatment of minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis:… PMID:25126527 | 2014 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Dhopte 2022 Comparative Evaluation of Low-Level Laser Therapy and Topical Triamcinolone Acetonide 0.1% in Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis Subjects. PMID:35785006 | 2022 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| El-Haddad 2014 Efficacy of honey in comparison to topical corticosteroid for treatment of recurrent minor aphthous ulceration: a randomized, blind,… PMID:25019115 | 2014 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Ghalwash 2024 Efficacy of thyme honey in the management of oral aphthous ulcers: A randomized controlled clinical trial. PMID:39723829 | 2025 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Halim 2013 Telephonic transfer of head CT images. PMID:2013203 | 1991 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Halim 2013 Avoidance of vascular complications associated with the use of dopamine. PMID:201354 | 1977 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Halim 2014 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Halim 2014 Rat adrenal corticosteroidogenesis; effect of ACTH, cycloheximide and sterol carrier protein. PMID:201453 | 1977 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Huo 2021 Effect of different treatments on recurrent aphthous stomatitis: laser versus medication. PMID:33140267 | 2021 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Lavaee 2022 The Comparative Effects of Rhus Coriaria and Triamcinolone in Patients with Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: A Single-Blinded Randomized… PMID:36262968 | 2022 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Mirzaee 2019 Comparison of therapeutic effect of mucoadhesive Nano-triamcinolone gel and conventional triamcinolone gel on recurrent aphthous stomatitis DOI:10.14295/bds.2019.v22i4.1837 | 2019 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Mirzaee 2019 Comparison of therapeutic effect of mucoadhesive nano-triamcinolone gel and conventional triamcinolone gel on oral lichen planus. PMID:31543932 | 2019 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Nayak 2023 Comparison of Effectiveness of Hiora SG Gel With Triamcinolone Acetonide Gel in Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis. PMID:37456467 | 2023 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Ofluoglu 2017 An evaluation of the efficacy of a topical gel with Triester Glycerol Oxide (TGO) in the treatment of minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis… PMID:28160585 | 2017 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Raman 2020 Topical Curcumin and Triamcinolone Acetonide in Recurrent Minor Aphthous Ulcers: A Pilot Trial. PMID:33568610 | 2020 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Rezvani 2025 Comparison of Two Oral Pastes Containing Triamcinolone and Rhus Coriaria L. for Treating Minor Aphthous Lesions. PMID:39379281 | 2025 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Seyyedi 2020 The Effect of Carbon Dioxide Laser on Aphthous stomatitis Treatment: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. PMID:33995972 | 2020 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Sharma 2018 A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial on Clinical Efficacy of Topical Agents in Reducing Pain and Frequency of Recurrent… PMID:30369980 | 2018 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Tadbir 2015 The effect of Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) extract in Orabase on minor aphthous stomatitis, a randomized clinical trial DOI:10.1016/j.hermed.2015.05.001 | 2015 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Tavangar 2019 Comparative Study of Punica granatum Gel and Triadent Oral Paste Effect on Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis, a Double Blind Clinical Trial. PMID:31579693 | 2019 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Umpreecha 2023 Efficacy and safety of topical 0.1% cannabidiol for managing recurrent aphthous ulcers: a randomized controlled trial. PMID:36803360 | 2023 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
Overlap with other reviews
Reviews that include the same primary studies are not independent evidence. Shared counts match studies by PMID, DOI or NCT, and otherwise by author and year (a probable match). Only the non-Cochrane dental reviews have study lists, so overlap with Cochrane reviews is not counted yet.
| Review | Shared studies | Jaccard |
|---|---|---|
| Bridging Conventional and Natural Therapies for Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Triamcinolone and… (2026) | 19 | 0.38 |
Review question
| Element | Planned (methods) | Found (results) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | Patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, no systemic disease | Healthy individuals with clinically diagnosed minor RAS, aged 15 to 65 years, about 60% female (25 RCTs, 1474 participants) |
| Intervention | 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide | 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide paste or ointment (n=631) |
| Comparison | Other treatments or placebo | Sumac gel, honey, HiOra SG gel, Salvizan gel, cannabidiol, Rhus coriaria, laser therapy, hyaluronic acid, curcumin, nanobased triamcinolone, aloe vera, Punica granatum gel, amlexanox, benzocaine, doxycycline, triester glycerol oxide, chamomile, virgin coconut oil, turmeric powder, acemannan (n=658); placebo (n=185) |
| Outcomes | Pain reduction; ulcer size reduction; healing time (secondary: time to pain recovery, ulcer severity, satisfaction, number of ulcers, erythema, exudation, quality of life, burning sensation, OHIP-14, degree of ulcer healing, new ulcers) | Pain intensity (23 studies); ulcer size (22 studies); healing time (7 studies); other secondary outcomes |
| Study designs | RCTs | RCTs (25) |
| Timing | Not specified | Follow-up 2 to 10 days; pooled at day 7 |
AMSTAR 2 items
Two independent extractors rated each item. Their ratings are shown side by side because they have not been reconciled yet. The overall rating follows Shea et al. 2017: one critical flaw gives Low, more than one gives Critically Low.
| Item | Extractor A | Extractor B | Agree |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Research question includes PICO components | Yes | Yes | yes |
| 2Protocol established before the reviewcritical | Partial Yes | Partial Yes | yes |
| 3Choice of study designs explained | No | No | yes |
| 4Comprehensive literature searchcritical | No | Partial Yes | no |
| 5Study selection in duplicate | No | No | yes |
| 6Data extraction in duplicate | Yes | Yes | yes |
| 7List of excluded studies with reasonscritical | No | No | yes |
| 8Included studies described in detail | Partial Yes | Partial Yes | yes |
| 9Risk of bias assessed satisfactorilycritical | NRSI: N/A · RCT: Yes | RCT: Yes | no |
| 10Funding of included studies reported | No | No | yes |
| 11Appropriate meta-analysis methodscritical | NRSI: N/A · RCT: No | RCT: No | no |
| 12Impact of risk of bias on the pooled results | No | No | yes |
| 13Risk of bias accounted for in interpretationcritical | Yes | Yes | yes |
| 14Heterogeneity explained | Yes | Yes | yes |
| 15Publication bias investigatedcritical | No | No | yes |
| 16Conflicts of interest reported | Yes | Yes | yes |
| Overall | Critically Low | Critically Low | yes |