Effects of low-level laser therapy on burning mouth syndrome

 

• Accepted manuscript online: 28 November 2016 
• Full publication history
• DOI: 10.1111/joor.12463

Abstract

Objectives

To investigate low-level laser therapy (LLLT) applied to treat burning mouth syndrome (BMS).

Materials and methods

This prospective. comparative. partially-blinded. single-centre. clinical trial of GaAlAs Laser. with 815 nm wavelength. included 44 BMS patients divided randomly into three groups: Group I (n=16): GaAlAs laser 815 nm wave-length. 1W output power. continuous emissions. 4 seconds .4 Joules and fluence rate is 133.3 joules/cm².
Group II (n=16): GaAlAs infrared laser. 815 nm wavelength. 1W output power. continuous emissions. 6 seconds. 6 Joules and fluence rate 200 joules/cm² Group III (n=12) placebo group. sham laser. All groups received a weekly dose for 4 weeks. Pain intensity was recorded using a 10-cm visual analog scale; patients responded to the oral health impact profile (OHIP-14). xerostomia severity test and the hospital anxiety-depression scale (HAD). These assessments were performed at baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks.

Results

LLLT decreased pain intensity and improved OHIP-14 scores significantly from baseline to 2 weeks in Groups I and II compared with the placebo group. No statistically significant differences were found from 2 weeks to 4 weeks. Overall improvements in VAS scores from baseline to the end of treatment were: Group I 15.7%; Group II 15.6%; Group III placebo 7.3%.

Conclusions

LLLT application reduces symptoms slightly in BMS patients.