Use of low-level laser therapy for oral lichen planus in children

Abstract

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic immune-mediated mucocutaneous disorder predominantly in white women after the fifth decade of life, rarely affecting children. Symptomatic OLP is usually treated with systemic and/or topical corticosteroids, but its prolonged use may cause several adverse effects. An eight-year-old girl presented bilateral white reticular plaques associated with atrophic areas involving the buccal and labial mucosa, and tongue dorsal surface with burning complaining. Medical history was non-contributory and an incisional biopsy was performed. Clinical and microscopic features were highly consistent with OLP diagnosis. Hence, 20 punctual low-level laser therapy (LLLT) sessions were performed, followed by significant clinical improvement and symptom discontinuation. We suggest that LLLT appears to be a successful treatment for childhood OLP, with good acceptance by pediatric patients.