Manejo clínico da síndrome de ardência bucal por meio de laserterapia de baixa potência: relato de caso

Abstract

Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a chronic pain condition characterized by a burning sensation in the oral mucosa in the absence of clinical or laboratory findings capable of explaining the symptoms, representing a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in dental practice. This study aims to report a clinical case of BMS in a patient with controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus, highlighting the diagnostic process, therapeutic approach, and clinical outcomes. A 64-year-old white male attended the Oral Medicine Clinic VII at the School of Dentistry of the Federal University of Uberlândia complaining of pain and burning sensation on the lateral border of the tongue, aggravated by the consumption of acidic, spicy, and seasoned foods. Medical history revealed controlled systemic conditions, absence of smoking and alcohol consumption habits, and continuous use of escitalopram, metformin, and dapagliflozin. Extraoral and intraoral examinations showed no clinical alterations, lesions, or local factors that could justify the reported symptoms. Based on the absence of clinical findings, the diagnosis of Burning Mouth Syndrome was established by exclusion. Low-level laser therapy was initially instituted, followed by the addition of topical clonazepam due to the persistence of symptoms. During clinical follow-up, gradual symptom improvement was observed after successive photobiomodulation sessions, whereas the patient reported limited benefit from topical clonazepam and eventually discontinued its use. After eight sessions of low-level laser therapy, complete remission of symptoms was achieved and maintained throughout the follow-up period, with no recurrence reported at the final evaluation. This case highlights the importance of exclusion-based diagnosis in Burning Mouth Syndrome and demonstrates the potential of low-level laser therapy as an effective therapeutic alternative for symptom control, promoting sustained clinical remission and improved quality of life.