Photobiomodulation is effective in oral lichen planus: a randomized, controlled, double-blind study.

OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacy of photobiomodulation to that of topical clobetasol 0.05% in patients with symptomatic oral lichen planus (OLP). SUBJECTS Thirty-four patients with symptomatic OLP were randomly allocated into two groups: (a) the Control group (n = 17), application of topical clobetasol propionate 0.05% three times a day for 30 consecutive days with laser placebo applied twice a week to mask the treatment, and (b) the photobiomodulation group (n = 17), laser application twice a week, totalling 8 sessions, and gel placebo for 30 consecutive days to mask the treatment. Evaluations were performed once a week during treatment and 30, 60 and 90 days after treatment. The following parameters were evaluated: pain, clinical scores, clinical resolution and recurrence rate. RESULTS Photobiomodulation and propionate clobetasol 0.05% were able to significantly decrease pain in oral lichen planus patients and improve clinical scores during treatment and follow-up. Both the Control and photobiomodulation groups presented similar clinical resolution and recurrence rates. Most importantly, no difference was observed between treatments during treatment and follow-up. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that photobiomodulation twice a week is as effective as corticoid therapy in treating oral lichen planus. Moreover, photobiomodulation is a safe and non-invasive therapy with the remarkable advantage of no adverse effects.