Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy-A Novel Treatment Modality in Oral Submucous Fibrosis: A Review

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic, debilitating disease characterized by juxta epithelial fibrosis of the oral cavity and regarded as a potentially malignant disorder. Numerous treatment modalities ranging from various drugs to behavioral therapy have been tried with inconsistent results with varying degrees of success reflecting low predictability, requiring further evaluation and standardization. Novel treatment modality such as Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves inhalation of 100% oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure usually ranging between 2.0 and 2.5 atmospheres for periods between 60 and 120 min. HBOT which can increase oxygen tension and delivery to oxygen-deficient tissue, is a supplementary therapy to improve hypoxic environment of OSMF and also possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties. This article enlightens on possible beneficial effects of HBOT in the management of OSMF at cellular and molecular level.