Laser palliation of oral manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

BACKGROUND: The author describes the use of lasers to palliate the oral manifestations of the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, infection. He discusses the advantages to both patients and dentists, but he does not address the use of lasers as a modality to treat or cure HIV infection. CASE DESCRIPTION: Many oral manifestations of HIV infection can be used as markers for degree of immunosuppression. These manifestations may be treated with antibiotics, analgesics and antineoplastics, which may interact and interfere with antiviral agents used to treat the disease and possibly may exacerbate it. The author describes laser palliation of the oral manifestations of three HIV-positive patients. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Dentists will see more patients living longer with HIV as the disease becomes more treatable. Lasers have been shown to be effective instruments in palliation of oral manifestations of HIV infection.