Effectiveness of low-level laser therapy and topical steroid therapy in the management of oral lichen planus

Main Article Content

Omar H Soliman
Eisa M Hegazy
Eman M Abdulhady
Asem M Kamel
Mahmoud A Attia
Nicola Baldini
Hayder R Abdulbaqi
Ahmed M Fekry
Rahma G Mostafa
Ahmed M Hussein

Abstract

Background: Corticosteroids are the most common treatment for oral lichen planus, a long-term immune-related condition, which is considered the most effective treatment. Photobiomodulation is a viable alternative treatment that can successfully treat various pathological disorders by relieving pain, decreasing inflammation, and facilitating tissue healing. Unlike steroid medications, photobiomodulation does not have any associated disadvantages. This study aimed to assess and compare the effects of topical application of 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide and photobiomodulation on erosive oral lichen planus. Methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in this investigation, which involved 20 patients who were suffering from erosive oral lichen planus. The control group (n= 10) was administered a 0.1% topical solution of triamcinolone acetonide 3 times daily and a miconazole oral gel once daily, for 4 weeks. The patients in the second group (n = 10) engaged in laser therapy twice a week for 8 sessions over 4 weeks, utilizing a 980 nm diode laser with an output power of 300 mw. Pain and clinical scores of patients were evaluated at the start and 4 weeks postoperatively.  Results: Both groups were not significantly different from one another, and both had substantial improvements in pain and clinical scores. Conclusions: Low-Level Laser therapy showed potential as a therapeutic approach for treating erosive oral lichen planus, offering an alternative to steroid therapy without the associated adverse effects.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

Section

Research Articles

How to Cite

1.
Soliman OH, Hegazy EM, Abdulhady EM, Kamel AM, Attia MA, Baldini N, et al. Effectiveness of low-level laser therapy and topical steroid therapy in the management of oral lichen planus . J Bagh Coll Dent [Internet]. 2025 Mar. 15 [cited 2025 Mar. 16];37(1):76-8. Available from: https://jbcd.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/jbcd/article/view/3914

References

Louisy A, Humbert E, Samimi M. Oral Lichen Planus: An Update on Diagnosis and Management. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2024;25(1):35-53.

Deng X, Wang Y, Jiang L, Li J, Chen Q. Updates on Immunological Mechanistic Insights and Targeting of the Oral Lichen Planus Microenvironment. Front Immunol. 2023;13:1023213.

Shah S, Baskaran N, Vinay K, Bishnoi A, Parsad D, Kumaran MS. Acquired Dermal Macular Hyperpigmentation: An Overview of the Recent Updates. Int J Dermatol. 2023;62(12):1447-57.

Popa C, Sciuca AM, Onofrei BA, Toader S, Condurache Hritcu OM, Boțoc Colac C, et al. Integrative Approaches for the Diagnosis and Management of Erosive Oral Lichen Planus. Diagnostics. 2024 ;26;14(7):692.

Mathew S, Lobo C, Antony M. Oral Lichen Planus. Cleve Clin J Med. 2023;90(12):717-8.

Palaniappan P, Baalann KP. Erosive Oral Lichen Planus. Pan Afr Med J. 2021;40:73.

Chiang CP, Yu-Fong Chang J, Wang YP, Wu YH, Lu SY, Sun A. Oral Lichen Planus-Differential Diagnoses, Serum Autoantibodies, Hematinic Deficiencies, and Management. J Formos Med Assoc. 2018 p;117(9):756-65.

Hussein AM, Hussein KAE, Babkair HA, Badawy M. Anti-Cancer Medicins (Classification and Mechanisms of action). Egyptian Dental Journal. 2024; 70(1):147-64.

Bhatt G, Gupta S, Ghosh S. Comparative Efficacy of Topical Aloe Vera and Low-level Laser Therapy in the Management of Oral Lichen Planus: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Lasers Med Sci. 2022;37(3):2063-70.

Mohamed RK, Elsayed NM, Mahmoud SA, Gaweesh YY. Photobiomodulation Versus Corticosteroid in the Management of Erosive Oral Lichen Planus: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. BMC Oral Health. 2024;24(1):246.

Abboud CS, Brandão EHDS, Cunha KRL, de Sousa Brito K, Gallo CB, Molon AC, et al. Serum and Salivary Cytokines in Patients With Oral Lichen Planus Treated with Photobiomodulation. Oral Dis. 2023;29(3):1250-58.

Ruiz Roca JA, López Jornet P, Gómez García FJ, Marcos Aroca P. Effect of Photobiomodulation on Atrophic-Erosive Clinical Forms of Oral Lichen Planus: A Systematic Review. Dent J (Basel). 2022 10(12):221.

Hamblin MR. Mechanisms and Mitochondrial Redox Signaling in Photobiomodulation. Photochem Photobiol. 2018;94(2):199-212.

Del Vecchio A, Palaia G, Grassotti B, Tenore G, Ciolfi C, Podda G, et al. Effects of Laser Photobiomodulation in the Management of Oral Lichen Planus: A Literature Review. Clin Ter. 2021;172(5):467-83.

Shamloo S, Defensor E, Ciari P, Ogawa G, Vidano L, Lin JS, et al. The Anti-inflammatory Effects of Photobiomodulation are Mediated by Cytokines: Evidence from a Mouse Model of Inflammation. Front Neu- rosci. 2023;17:1150156.

Kalhori KAM, Vahdatinia F, Jamalpour MR, Vescovi P, Fornaini C, Merigo E, et al. Photobiomodulation in Oral Medicine. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2019;37(12):837-61.

Soh WK, Cheah KF, Veettil SK, Pandiar D, Nimbalkar S, Gopinath D. Photobiomodulation Therapy in the Management of Oral Lichen Planus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Eur J Dent. 2024 (Online ahead of print).

Thongprasom K, Luengvisut P, Wongwatanakij A, Boonjatturus C. Clinical Evaluation in Treatment of Oral Lichen Planus with Topical Fluocinolone Acetonide: A 2-Year Follow-up. J Oral Pathol Med. 2003;32(6):315–22.

van der Meij EH, Schepman KP, van der Waal I. Thepossibleprema- Lignant Character of Oral Lichen Planus and Oral Lichenoid Lesions: Shamloo A Prospective Study. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2003;96(2):164-71.

Tvarijonaviciute A, Aznar-Cayuela C, Rubio CP, Ceron JJ, López-Jornet P. Evaluation of Salivary Oxidate Stress Biomarkers, Nitric Oxide and C-Reactive Protein in Patients with Oral Lichen Planus and Burning Mouth Syndrome. J Oral Pathol Med. 2017;46(5):387-92.

Cafaro A, Arduino PG, Massolini G, Romagnoli E, Broccoletti R. Clinical Evaluation of the Efficiency of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Oral Lichen Planus: A Prospective Case Series. Lasers Med Sci. 2014;29(1):185-90.

Piboonniyom SO, Treister N, Pitiphat W, Woo SB: Scoring System for Monitoring Oral Lichenoid Lesions: A 16 Preliminary Study. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2005, 99:696-703.

World Medical Association. World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects. JAMA. 2013;310(20):2191-4.

Öğüş E. To be Together Medicine and Biostatistics in History. Türkiye Klinikleri Biyoistatistik. 2017;9(1):74-83.

Mutafchieva MZ, Draganova-Filipova MN, Zagorchev PI, Tomov GT. Effects of Low Level Laser Therapy On Erosive-Atrophic Oral Lichen Planus. Folia Med (Plovdiv). 2018;60(3):417-24.

Mirza S, Rehman N, Alrahlah A, Alamri WR, Vohra F. Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy or Low Level Laser Therapy Against Steroid Therapy in The Treatment of Erosive-Atrophic Oral Lichen Planus. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2018;21:404-8.

Serafini G, De Biase A, Lamazza L, Mazzucchi G, Lollobrigida M. Efficacy of Topical Treatments for the Management of Symptomatic Oral Lichen Planus: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(2):1202.

de Lima SL, de Arruda JA, Abreu LG, Mesquita RA, Ribeiro-Rotta RF, Mendonça EF, et al. Clinicopathologic Data of Individuals with Oral Lichen Planus: A Brazilian Case Series. J Clin Exp Dent. 2019;11(12):e1109-19.

Dalirsani Z, Seyyedi SA: Treatment of Plaque-Like Oral Lichen Planus with CO2 Laser . Indian J Dermatol. 2021; 66:698-703.

Somsak P, Piboonratanakit P, Pongsiriwet S, Sappayatosok K, Sarideechaigul W, Taebunpakul P, et al. Development and Validation o the Oral Lichen Planus-Disease Activity Scale: A Novel Tool for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment. Clin Oral Investig.2024;28(9):481.

Akram Z, Abduljabbar T, Vohra F, Javed F. Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy Compared to Steroid Therapy in The Treatment of Oral Lichen Planus: A Systematic Review. J Oral Pathol Med. 2018;47(1):11-7.

Salinas Gilabert C, Gómez García F, Galera Molero F, Pons-Fuster E, Vander Beken S, Lopez Jornet P. Photodynamic therapy, photobiomodulation and acetonide triamcinolone 0.1% in the treatment of oral lichen planus: a randomized clinical trial. Pharmaceutics.2022;15(1):30.

Laxmi GD, Khan M, Johar K, Vijaylakshmi KR, Nikita G. A Comparative Study on Use of Diode Laser and Topical Triamcinolone Acetonide 0.1% In The Management of Oral Lichen Planus. Int J Dent Res. 2015;1:12-9.

El Shenawy HM, Eldin AM. A Comparative Evaluation of Low-Level Laser and Topical Steroid Therapies for The Treatment of Erosive-Atrophic Lichen Planus. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2015;3(3):462-6.

Suman V, Peta N, Bokkasam V, Babu DS, YV S, Puchalapalli Y. Management of Pain in Erosive Lichenplanus Using Low-Level Lasertherapy (LLLT): A Report Of Two Cases. Int J Contemp Med Surg Rad. 2019;4:223-6.

Pires de Sousa MV, Ferraresi C, Kawakubo M, Kaippert B, Yoshimura EM, Hamblin MR. Errata: Transcranial Low-Level Laser Therapy (810 Nm) Temporarily Inhibits Peripheral Nociception: Photoneuromodulation of Glutamate Receptors, Prostatic Acid Phophatase, and Adenosine Triphosphate. Neurophotonics. 2016;3(1):019801.

Kamodyová N, Baňasová L, Janšáková K, Koborová I, Tóthová Ľ, Stanko P, et al. Blood Contamination in Saliva: Impact on the Measurement of Salivary Oxidative Stress Markers. Dis Markers. 2015;2015:479251.

Ferri EP, Cunha KR, Abboud CS, deBarros Gallo C, deSousa Sobral S, de Fatima Teixeira da Silva D, et al. Photobiomodulation is Effective in Oral Lichen Planus: A Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Study. Oral Dis. 2021;27(5):1205–16.

Dillenburg CS, Martins MA, Munerato MC, Marques MM, Carrard VC, Sant’Ana Filho M, et al. Efficacy of Laser Phototherapy in Comparison to Topical Clobetasol for the Treatment of Oral Lichen Planus: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Biomed Opt.2014;19(6):068002.

Othman NA, Shaker OG, Elshenawy HM, Abd-Elmoniem W, Eldin AM, Fakhr MY. The effect of diode laser and topical steroid on serum level of TNF-alpha in oral lichen planus patients. J Clin Exp Dent. 2016;8(5):e566–70.

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.