Extended Erosive Oral Lichen Planus Treated with a very Low-Level Laser Therapy: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Oral lichen planus is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory disease that affects the skin and mucous membrane and involves about 1-2% of the population. The management of this pathology aims to control symptoms. Clinically, it can appear as a plaque, in reticular form, or an erythematous/atrophic form. The treatment options include different classes of drugs and non-drug therapies such as a laser. In addition, most drug treatments include numerous side effects. Objective: The aim of this work is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a particular type of very Low-Level-Laser Therapy for the management of an erosive oral lichen planus case. Methods: An extensive form of erosive Oral Lichen Planus was treated using a Low-Level Laser Therapy with a 660 nm diode laser. The treatment was performed once per week for two sessions of five minutes each. Different outcome variables were examined: the size of lesions, evolution of pain symptoms, and presence of side effects and stability of the therapeutic results in the follow-up period. Results: After a week, the lesion appeared more homogenous, and the erythematous areas underwent a reduction with a simultaneous decrease in symptoms. After two weeks, the lesion seemed completely healed with the disappearance of pain. The follow-up continued for the other four months, and no relapse was reported. No adverse effects were observed during the study. Conclusion: This study suggests that Low-Level Laser Therapy with very low power parameters could be a safe and successful treatment for extended oral erosive lichen planus lesions.