Low Level Laser as a Therapeutic Alternative in Treatment of Oral Lichen Planus-Review of Literature

Abstract

Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is a chronic mucocutaneous disease having oral and systemic manifestations. Topical Steroids are the first line of treatment in OLP. Adjuncts like retinoids, placental extracts, immunomodulators like tacrolimus are supplemented with topical steroids for the management of unresponsive lesions of OLP before the administration of systemic corticosteroids, which has its own complications. There are reports of some lesions of OLP that become unresponsive after prolonged steroid therapy. Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has been used in dentistry for a wide range of therapeutic procedures like de-pigmentation, incisions, curing of composite, frenectomy etc. LLLT has been tried and tested for management of skin lesions in psoriasis and vitiligo successfully that prompted many authors to use LLLT in the management of the oral lesions in Lichen Planus. This review aimed to evaluate the role of LLLT as a therapeutic adjunct in the management of un-responsive and/or symptomatic cases of OLP before the administration of systemic corticosteroids. It also attempts to evaluate if the use of LLLT supplemented with topical steroids can reduce the incidence of unresponsive or resistant lesions of OLP.

Keywords

• corticosteroids
• skin lesions
• therapeutic adjunct