Different Approaches to Oral Lichen Planus Treatment: A Narrative Review

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic immune-mediated disorder affecting the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, characterized by inflammation caused by T-cell-mediated destruction of basal keratinocytes with the potential for malignant transformation. The exact etiology of the disease remains unclear, but as its symptoms may reduce patient quality of life, various treatment modalities have been proposed, generally based on managing symptoms and controlling disease progression. In this narrative review, we examine both conventional therapies (corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, retinoids) and emerging treatment options (photodynamic therapy, low-level laser therapy, and biologics) in terms of their efficacy and limitations. Although corticosteroid therapy remains a cornerstone of treatment, it is not effective in all cases, demonstrating the need to investigate alternative methods; hence, we also present possible future directions for OLP treatment in this study.