Comparison of application of low-level laser plus topical corticosteroids and topical corticosteroids alone in the treatment of ulcerative and erythematous forms of oral lichen planus

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic oral immunological disease. Topical corticosteroids and low-level lasers are used in the treatment of erosive and erythematous forms of lichen planus. This study was performed to compare the combined application of low-level laser and topical corticosteroids and topical corticosteroids alone in the treatment of OLP.
In a clinical trial, 11 patients with 15 regions of ulcerative and erythematous forms of oral lichen planus were selected for treatment with laser and 15 control areas were selected on the opposite side. In these areas, the lesion sizes, pain severity and erythematous changes were recorded. Topical corticosteroid therapy continued for the lesions. Low-level Azor-2K diode laser (660 nm, 2 J/cm2) beams were applied in 4 sessions for 2 weeks. Data were analyzed with SPSS by using independent t-test and Mann-Whitney U test and ANOVA (α = 0.05).
The pain severity was not different between the two sides after laser irradiation (p value = 0.954). Following laser irradiation, sign symptoms and signs were lower on laser therapy side (p value = 0.019). The lesion sizes decreased on the laser side (p value = 0.012) and remained small during the follow-up period (p value = 0.024). There was no decrease in lesion size on the topical corticosteroid side (p value = 0.383). Erythematous intensity decreased to a greater degree on the laser irradiation side (p value = 0.016).
Application of 660-nm low-level diode laser combined with the use of topical corticosteroids was more effective than topical corticosteroid alone; therefore, it appears LLLT can be used to increase the efficacy of topical corticosteroid therapy in oral lichen planus.