Photobiomodulation in the management of oral lesions: a targeted, evidence-based approach

This review synthesizes current literature on laser applications in dentistry, with particular emphasis on the biological mechanisms of photobiomodulation (PBM), dosimetric considerations, tissue interactions, and the clinical management of the most prevalent oral lesions. The oral disorders most frequently investigated for the therapeutic use of PBM were: a) oral pain conditions: trigeminal neuralgia, temporomandibular disorders, and burning mouth syndrome; b) oncology-related conditions: oral mucositis and hyposalivation; c) immune-mediated disorders: recurrent aphthous stomatitis and oral lichen planus; and d) viral infections: herpes labialis. A wide range of laser parameters has shown clinical benefits in the treatment of these disorders. These outcomes are attributed to the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and tissue repair effects of PBM, which may occur immediately and cumulatively over repeated sessions. PBM therapy is a valuable therapeutic resource in contemporary dentistry and may be successfully applied in a wide range of clinical conditions. Clinical effectiveness of PBM depends on appropriate dosimetry and irradiation parameters according to the biological characteristics of each condition and therapeutic target. Therefore further well-designed randomized clinical trials and protocol standardization are still required to strengthen clinical recommendations and optimize reproducibility.