title: Treatment of Oral Leukoplakia with Diode Laser: a Pilot Study on Indian Subjects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To evaluate the safety, convenience and effectiveness of 940nm diode laser for treatment of homogenous leukoplakia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients having homogenous leukoplakia which were diagnosed clinically were selected from an Indian dental educational institution for the study. Toludine blue staining was applied locally over the lesion. The area where there was increased uptake of stain was excised using a 940 nm EZLASE TM diode laser (BIOLASE-USA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although various treatment modalities have been tried and the search continues for novel treatment modalities for complete removal of homogenous leukoplakia, from results of our preliminary pilot study it is clear that the use of 940 nm diode laser as a treatment modality for homogenous leukoplakia is a good substitute. Healing was perfect without any complication within a duration of 1 month. Pain intensity was also mild and absolutely zero on the VAS scale after 1 month follow up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  940 nm diode lasers are safe and can be effectively used as a treatment modality of homogenous leukoplakia, without any complication and without compromising health and oral function of patients. Considering recurrence factor, long term follow up for patients is a must.
authors.affiliation: Dentistry, Oral Medicine and Radiology, P.D.U Dental College And Hospital,Solapur, Solapur, India E-mail : drosamakharadi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Usama A Rashid
authors.initials: UA
authors.lastname: Kharadi
authors.forename: Sanjeev
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Onkar
authors.forename: Rajendra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Birangane
authors.forename: Swapnali
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chaudhari
authors.forename: Abhay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.forename: Rohan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chaudhari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D053685:Laser Therapy; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor; D007972:Leukoplakia, Oral / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011379:Prognosis; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000528:radiation effects*