Evaluation of low-level laser therapy in patients with acute and chronic temporomandibular disorders

The purpose of this study was to address the following question: among patients with acute or chronic temporomandibular disorders (TMD), does low-level laser therapy (LLLT) reduce pain intensity and improve maximal mouth opening? The sample comprised myogenic TMD patients (according Research Diagnos...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Lasers in medical science Vol. 28; no. 1; pp. 57 - 64
Main Authors:	Salmos-Brito, Janaina Andrade Lima, de Menezes, Rebeca Ferraz, Teixeira, Camila Epitácio Cravo, Gonzaga, Raphaella Karlla Machado, Rodrigues, Breno Henrique Mara, Braz, Rodivan, Bessa-Nogueira, Ricardo Viana, de Martínez Gerbi, Marleny Elizabeth Márquez
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	London Springer-Verlag 2013 Springer Nature B.V
Subjects:	Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Bone diseases Dental research Dentistry Facial Pain - radiotherapy Female Humans Lasers Low-Level Light Therapy - methods Male Maxillofacial surgery Medicine Medicine & Public Health Middle Aged Optical Devices Optics Original Article Pain Pain Measurement Photonics Quantum Optics Statistics, Nonparametric Temporomandibular Joint Disorders - radiotherapy Treatment Outcome Brazil Low-level laser therapy Myofacial pain Temporomandibular joint disorders Facial pain
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Summary:	The purpose of this study was to address the following question: among patients with acute or chronic temporomandibular disorders (TMD), does low-level laser therapy (LLLT) reduce pain intensity and improve maximal mouth opening? The sample comprised myogenic TMD patients (according Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD). Inclusion criteria were: male/female, no age limit, orofacial pain, tender points, limited jaw movements and chewing difficulties. Patients with other TMD subtypes or associated musculoskeletal/rheumatologic disease, missing incisors teeth, LLLT contra-indication, and previous TMD treatment were excluded. According to disease duration, patients were allocated into two groups, acute (<6 months) and chronic TMD (≥6 months). For each patient, 12 LLLT sessions were performed (gallium–aluminum–arsenide; λ = 830 nm, P = 40 mW, CW, ED = 8 J/cm 2 ). Pain intensity was recorded using a 10-cm visual analog scale and maximal mouth opening using a digital ruler (both recorded before/after LLLT). The investigators were previously calibrated and blinded to the groups (double-blind study) and level of significance was 5% ( p < 0.05). Fifty-eight patients met all criteria, 32 (acute TMD), and 26 (chronic TMD). Both groups had a significant pain intensity reduction and maximal mouth opening improvement after LLLT (Wilcoxon test, p < 0.001). Between the groups, acute TMD patient had a more significant pain intensity reduction (Mann–Whitney test, p = 0.002) and a more significant maximal mouth opening improvement (Mann–Whitney test, p = 0.011). Low-level laser therapy can be considered as an alternative physical modality or supplementary approach for management of acute and chronic myogenic temporomandibular disorder; however, patients with acute disease are likely to have a better outcome.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0268-8921 1435-604X
DOI:	10.1007/s10103-012-1065-8