THE USE OF PHOTOBIOMODULATION IN MUCOCUTANEOUS DISEASES AFFECTING THE ORAL CAVITY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the implications of laser therapy for mucocutaneous diseases with oral involvement, considering its potential benefits as an adjuvant therapeutic alternative for dental practitioners managing these conditions. Methodology: This systematic followed the PRISMA guidelines and was structured based on the PICO strategy: P - patients with mucocutaneous diseases affecting the oral cavity (lichen planus, lupus erythematosus, pemphigus vulgaris, and mucous membrane pemphigoid); I - adjuvant laser therapy; C - conventional steroid therapy; O - pain reduction, healing improvement, inflammatory control, and quality-of-life enhancement. Searches were conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2015 and 2025. Inclusion criteria comprised clinical trials, case reports, literature reviews, and systematic reviews addressing laser therapy or photobiomodulation in mucocutaneous diseases with oral manifestations. Exclusion criteria included in vitro or animal studies, editorials, articles without relevant clinical data, or with restricted access. From 289,804 records initially identified, 54 studies were selected for full-text assessment, and 24 met the criteria for qualitative synthesis. Results: The included articles consistently demonstrated that photobiomodulation promotes healing of oral lesions, reduces inflammation and pain, accelerates ulcer resolution, and improves patients’ quality of life. Benefits were reported across single-session and multi-session protocols. Conclusion: Laser therapy represents a promising adjunctive modality for managing oral manifestations of mucocutaneous diseases, offering rapid clinical improvement and enhanced patient comfort. However, the absence of standardized therapeutic protocols highlights the need for further research to establish evidence-based guidelines that support safe, effective, and humanized clinical application.