Efficacy of diode laser in the management of oral lichen planus

Abstract

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common chronic disease of uncertain aetiology. Treatment of patients with symptomatic OLP represents a therapeutic challenge. Despite numerous existing remedies, there are many treatment failures. The diode laser therapy is used as a possible alternative method in the treatment of lichen planus. The patient with OLP lesions was treated using diode laser (940 nm) for the symptomatic relief of pain and burning sensation. The patient was assessed before, during and after the completion of the treatment weekly. The treatment was performed for 2 months and the patient showed complete remission of burning sensation and pain (visual analog scale 0%). The follow-up was performed for 7 months and no recurrence of burning sensation was found. Diode laser therapy seems to be an effective alternative treatment for relieving the symptoms of OLP. Copyright 2013 BMJ Publishing Group. All rights reserved.