Effects of Low Level Laser Therapy on Erosive-atrophic Oral Lichen Planus

The erosive-atrophic form of oral lichen planus (OLP) is associated with severe pain and burning sensation and is often unresponsive to treatment. Topical corticosteroids are considered as a medication of first choice but they can produce adverse effects. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches are required. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of biomodulation with diode laser in patients presenting with long-standing erosive-atrophic OLP. Twelve patients, clinically and histologically diagnosed with OLP, participated in this study. The level of pain and the clinical scores of total 59 lesions were recorded before treatment using visual analog scale and Thongprasom sign scoring system respectively. All patients received low level laser therapy (LLLT) with diode laser (810 nm) with parameters (0.5 W, 30 s, 1.2 J/cm2) three times weekly for a month. The response rate was assessed according to the decrease in pain and sign scores. Treatment efficacy index was calculated. There was a significant reduction in pain after LLLT (p