Possible alternative therapies for oral lichen planus cases refractory to steroid therapies

Efficacy of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of symptomatic oral lichen planus: A systematic review

“…Although any mucosal site can be affected, the buccal mucosa is the most frequently affected site followed by tongue and gingiva . Based on clinical features, OLP is classified into 5 different clinical forms: reticular, atrophic, erosive, papular, and bullous . While the reticular form is mostly asymptomatic that requires no treatment, atrophic, erosive, and bullous forms, as their names imply, usually result in erythematous and ulcerative areas, causing symptoms ranging in presentation from mild burning sensation to severe unbearable pain that interferes with eating and speaking .…”

“…Based on clinical features, OLP is classified into 5 different clinical forms: reticular, atrophic, erosive, papular, and bullous . While the reticular form is mostly asymptomatic that requires no treatment, atrophic, erosive, and bullous forms, as their names imply, usually result in erythematous and ulcerative areas, causing symptoms ranging in presentation from mild burning sensation to severe unbearable pain that interferes with eating and speaking . This greatly affects patients’ quality of life that needs immediate medical intervention .…”

“…Given the obscure etiology, the management of OLP is challenging and the current treatment modalities are mainly focused to alleviate symptoms and eliminate mucosal erythema and ulcerations. Many different local and systemic therapeutic modalities have been tried to improve the lesions and reduce the associated pain . However, the results have been unsatisfactory and as yet there is no definite cure .…”

“…Many different local and systemic therapeutic modalities have been tried to improve the lesions and reduce the associated pain . However, the results have been unsatisfactory and as yet there is no definite cure . Topical and systemic corticosteroids are the most widely accepted treatment modality for OLP .…”

Surgical excision and mucosal advancement flap: Treatment for refractory lichen planus of the lip

“…Surgical excision of OLP is indicated as an alternative treatment for isolated plaques or nonhealing erosions (Samal, Behera, Gupta, Majumdar, & Khurana, ; Yang et al, ). The preferred method for restoration of the vermilion is anterior advancement of the mucosa (Baker & Swanson, ).…”