Evaluation of Efficacy of Three Treatment Modalities in the Management of Symptomatic Oral Lichen Planus—A Prospective Comparative Study

Abstract

Context: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a relatively common chronic inflammatory condition of the oral mucosa. OLP is currently managed by various treatment protocols, the most common being topical and systemic corticosteroid therapy. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT), or photo-biomodulation, is gaining popularity as a palliative treatment for OLP. Aim: The present study was aimed to compare the efficacy of LLLT, topical corticosteroid therapy, or a combination of both in the management of OLP. Settings and Design: Thirty patients who were clinically and histopathologically diagnosed as OLP were randomly selected and divided into three groups: Group 1 (n = 10) received topical corticosteroid therapy (TCT); Group 2 (n = 10) received LLLT; and Group 3 (n = 10) received combination of both the therapies. Materials and Method: Each group of patients received treatment in five sessions of their respective therapy over the course of 15 days, with a three-day interval between each follow-up. The VAS (visual analogue scale) was used to collect data on pain. The percentage of healing was calculated using the WHO oral mucositis assessment scale, the global healing index, and the WU et al. (2010) disease grading system. Results: A reduction in scores in VAS, WHO oral mucositis assessment scale, global healing index, and WU et al. (2010) disease scoring system with the combination of LLLT and topical corticosteroid therapy was observed. Conclusion: Both LLLT and TCT were effective against the symptom control and improvement in clinical manifestation of oral lichen planus, nevertheless; a combination of the two was found to be more beneficial in treatment of symptomatic OLP.