Measurements of jaw movements and TMJ pain intensity in patients treated with GaAlAs laser

Marcelo Oliveira Mazzetto,Renata Campi De Andrade Pizzo,Takami Hirono Hotta

doi:10.1590/s0103-64402010000400012

Marcelo Oliveira Mazzetto, Renata Campi De Andrade Pizzo + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0103-64402010000400012

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the improvement of the mandibular movements and painful symptoms in individuals with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Forty patients were randomly divided into two groups (n=20): Group 1 received the effective dose (GaAlAs laser λ 830 nm, 40 mW, 5J/cm²) and Group 2 received the placebo application (0 J/cm²), in continuous mode on the affected condyle lateral pole: superior, anterior, posterior, and posterior-inferior, twice a week during 4 weeks. Four evaluations were performed: E1 (before laser application), E2 (right after the last application), E3 (one week after the last application) and E4 (30 days after the last application). The Kruskal-Wallis test showed significant more improvements (p<0.01) in painful symptoms in the treated group than in the placebo group. A significant improvement in the range of mandibular movements was observed when the results were compared between the groups at E4. Laser application can be a supportive therapy in the treatment of TMD, since it resulted in the immediate decrease of painful symptoms and increased range of mandibular movements in the treated group. The same results were not observed in the placebo group.

Highlights

Temporomandibular disorder (TMDs) present signs and symptoms that affect the masticatory muscles, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or both [1]
This study evaluated the influence of gallium-aluminum-arsenide laser (GaAlAs) (λ 830 nm) application in subjects with TMJ pain by palpation of the lateral pole of the condyle, use of the visual analogue scale (VAS) and assessment of the range of mandibular movements
The initial treatment of TMD frequently focuses on the use of noninvasive pain control methods [20]

Summary

Introduction

Temporomandibular disorder (TMDs) present signs and symptoms that affect the masticatory muscles, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or both [1]. The patient may report signs and symptoms such as muscle and TMJ pain [2], tenderness to palpation on the TMJ and face, restriction of mandibular movement and joint sounds [3]. The majority of patients suffering from TMD obtain relief of symptoms with different treatments [4]. The use of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain syndromes has become common [5,6,7,8,9] and the affected region is usually irradiated to cause attenuation of symptoms [10,11,12]. The antiinflammatory [14], analgesic, and biomodulatory effects of lasers are recognized

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