Comparative Evaluation of Low-level Laser Therapy and Intralesional Injection in OSMF Patients: A Quasi-randomized Trial.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy and intralesional injection in oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) patients.

Materials and methods: The present study comprised of 52 grade II OSMF patients aged between 20 and 60 years. A pretreatment assessment was done for each patients. And 52 patients were divided into two groups (26 patients in each group). Group I received intralesional injections, and group II received low-level laser therapy (LLLT). The intralesional injection group received 0.5 mL 1500 I.U. Hyaluronidase with 2 mL dexamethasone biweekly for a month. The LLLT group underwent sessions of 0.1 watt laser only once for 3 cycles, each lasting 1 minute with 5-minute intervals. Evaluation of overall accessibility, burning sensation and mouth opening was done for both the treatment modalities on 0, 3rd, 7th and 15th day. All data were recorded and statistically analyzed.

Results: On comparison of burning sensation in intralesional Injection group, at baseline, the mean value was 4.00 ± 0.84 and it reduced to 1.19 ± 0.40 while in LLLT group from 4.15 ± 0.96 at baseline, it reduced to 2.65 ± 0.68 at the end of 15 days, respectively. On comparison of mouth opening in intralesional Injection group, at baseline, the mean value was 21.73 ± 1.56 and it increased to 32.53 ± 0.97 while in LLLT group from 22.70 ± 2.17 at baseline, it increased to 24.50 ± 1.31 at the end of 15 days, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference found between the two groups.

Conclusion: The present study concluded that intralesional injections are more effective in treating grade II OSMF compared with LLLT.

Clinical significance: Several different treatment options are available to treat OSMF, including medical approaches, surgical management, and physiotherapy. One of the important therapeutic modalities is intralesional injection therapy with corticosteroids as they reduce inflammation and immunosuppression while hyaluronidase increases tissue permeability. How to cite this article: Pattnayak A, Das A, Rana P, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Low-level Laser Therapy and Intralesional Injection in OSMF Patients: A Quasi-randomized Trial. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(8):745-750.