Study protocol
aphthous, pain
In this study, the evaluator and all patients in both groups were blinded. The patients were informed to visit the dental clinic during the first 24 h after the occurrence of aphthous lesions, and their first visit was regarded as the baseline (day 0). During the initial visit, patients were firstly assured about the safety of the project; then they were asked to read and sign the consent form and also complete the questionnaire containing the medical and dental history of patients. In the same session, the first mucoadhesive tablet was placed on the patient’s aphthous lesion by the examiner; notably, that the evaluator in this study was blinded and not conscious of the medicine which was given to each patient. Patients were informed to use the tablets 3 times daily in the morning, noon, and night. They were instructed how to use mucoadhesive tablets and advised to avoid eating and drinking for 30 min after usage and remove the tablet after 30 min. In the control group, the same procedure was performed with a placebo which contains all materials used in atorvastatin mucoadhesive tablets, except the primary substance, which is atorvastatin. All patients were advised not to use other anti-inflammatory medicines.To evaluate the amount of pain and healing of the lesions, the patients were clinically examined 0 (baseline), 3, 5, and 7 days later using a metal caliper to determine the diameter of the lesions and the inflammatory area around them [