Use of Bioactive Dental Materials in Treatment of Oral Lichen Planus

Abstract

Introduction: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disease that has a considerable effect on the quality of life of patients since they experience frequent pain and mucosal lesions. The traditional restorative materials are likely to worsen the symptoms by causing hypersensitivities, but bioactive materials contain the therapeutic potential of emitting ions that facilitate the healing process. The purpose of the study was to assess the oral impact of bioactive dental materials employed in patients with OLP who need restorative treatment. Material and Method: Prospective observational study was carried out to evaluate 40 patients diagnosed with OLP undergoing restorative procedures with the use of bioactive materials. The baseline, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment showed a pain intensity (VAS scale) and lesion size (cm 2). There was also the measurement of patient satisfaction and recurrence rates. Results: Mean VAS with regard to pain fell at 6-month follow up by 1.9 cm2 after starting at 7.6 at baseline and lesion volume fell by 0.8 cm2 between 6 months at baseline. Promising results were recorded within only 2 weeks (p < 0.001). After 6 months, 92.5 percent of the patients recorded high satisfaction levels due to treatment outcomes, and only 5 percent of a patient experienced a recurrence. Conclusion: Bioactive dental materials showed high reduction of pain and repair of lesions with high satisfaction of the patient in the management of OLP. This can be a dual advantage of healing action and treatment under the aspects of their ion-releasing, biocompatible features. It suggests more extensive randomized controlled trials in order to verify long-term effectiveness and safety.