Photobiomodulation as a Therapeutic Strategy in Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Scoping Review

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is considered an atypical oral clinical-symptomatological condition because its etiopathogenesis is not yet fully clarified. It is mainly characterized by the symptom of burning, which occurs chronically and with various intensities. It is essential for making a diagnosis of BMS, clinical negativities, and instrumental investigations. It mainly affects the female sex, in the pre-post-climactic phases. A peripheral neuropathic matrix of the pain symptoms has been repeatedly demonstrated. However, this subjectivity is associated with personalities with anxiety-depressive traits, affective-behavioral difficulties, and disorders of the psycho-algogenic sphere. Numerous treatments are reported in the literature, which have rarely met lasting healing parameters. In this clinical landscape, photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) can be considered a possible therapeutic alternative. Our study aims to present a scoping review of how photobiomodulation is used in BMS therapy and to analyze the outcome of the therapy. A literature review focused on the photobiomodulation treatment for burning mouth syndrome was conducted in the main scientific databases: PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science. The results of our research highlight encouraging results regarding photobiomodulation, as in all studies, there is a reduction in symptoms.

Automated summary

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a clinical condition with unclear etiopathogenesis, featuring chronic burning symptom with varying intensities. It predominantly affects females in pre-post-climactic phases and has a neuropathic basis associated with anxiety-depressive traits. Numerous treatments have been reported, but photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) shows promising results, reducing symptoms in all studies. A scoping review of PBMT in BMS therapy was conducted, analyzing the outcome of the treatment.