Treatment-resistant gingivitis responding to photobiomodulation in pemphigus vulgaris

Abstract

Gingivitis is a chronic inflammatory condition of the maxillary and mandibular gingiva due to poor hygiene of the gums. A 91-year-old woman with a prior diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris and persistent gingivitis for 11 years was treated using photobiomodulation (PBM), red 650 nm laser light, 150 mW, 2 J/Cm2 in 16 sessions for 6 weeks. Redness and pain decreased significantly not long after photobiomodulation was commenced and healed completely in 16 sessions. In follow-up after 3 months, her situation was still stable. PBM can be used as an effective, noninvasive, safe, and cost–benefit treatment.

Keywords

• gingivitis
• low-level laser therapy
• pemphigus vulgaris
• photobiomodulation