Effectiveness of Photobiomodulation, Er:YAG Laser, and Clobetasol in the Treatment of the Erosive Form of Oral Lichen Planus - a Randomized Clinical Trial.
This study aims to compare three treatment approaches for the erosive form of oral lichen planus, a chronic inflammatory condition that often causes pain, impaired oral function, and frequent relapses. Sixty adults with a confirmed diagnosis will be randomly assigned to photobiomodulation, Er:YAG laser therapy, or topical clobetasol, which serves as the current standard of care. The project investigates how effectively each method promotes healing of erosive lesions, reduces pain, improves oral functions such as chewing and swallowing, and prevents recurrence after treatment. Before enrollment, participants will undergo microbiological testing, tissue autofluorescence assessment, and histopathological confirmation. Treatment will follow strict protocols tailored to each therapy type, with PBM applied twice weekly, surgical laser once weekly, and clobetasol used twice daily for thirty days. Clinical outcomes will be measured using lesion size, standardized scoring systems, and patient-reported scales for pain and swelling. Follow up at one week, one month, and three months will document healing progress and relapse rates. Safety monitoring includes evaluation for infections and adverse reactions. The expected outcome is to determine which therapy provides the most effective, safe, and durable improvement. The study may offer evidence supporting laser based methods as alternatives that avoid the risks associated with long term steroid use.
• Be between 20 and 70 years old.
• Have histologically confirmed erosive or ulcerative oral lichen planus based on a biopsy.
• Have no active aerobic bacterial infection or oral fungal infection.
• Have had no treatment for OLP within the past 3 months.
• Provide written informed consent.