The effect of low-level laser therapy on functional improvements in the temporomandibular joints: randomized clinical trial

Nirlley Karcia Da Silva Veras,Guilherme Pertinni De Morais Gouveia,Francisco Lázaro Arruda,Antônia Mykaele Cordeiro Brandão,Fernanda Mello Da Silva Sousa

doi:10.33448/rsd-v10i4.14387

Nirlley Karcia Da Silva Veras, Guilherme Pertinni De Morais Gouveia + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i4.14387

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Abstract

Introduction: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) - recognized as the most common chronic orofacial pain condition - significantly impacts individuals’ quality of life and social coexistence. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on functional improvements in the temporomandibular joints (TMJ). Method: The research was carried out at the Universidade Federal do Piauí on 32 young adults with signs and symptoms of TMD, who were divided into the intervention group (IG) and the control group (CG). The IG was administered the LLLT application directly on the TMJ. While both groups were subjected to the same procedures, for the CG, the laser device was turned off. Results: The mean age of the participants was 21.87 ± 2.4 years, with a predominance of females (87.5%) over males (12.5%). Homogeneity was observed between the CG and IG concerning the presence of pain from palpation. The decrease in the pain of the musculature was relevant, with emphasis on the IG, which used LLLT. Moreover, there was an increase in participants, who rated on the pain scale their pain as “0” (no pain), and presented increased measures of joint mobility of the mandible and cervical spine, with relief of the painful symptoms, by breaking the pain-spasm-pain cycle. Conclusion: LLLT promotes a significant reduction of pain from palpation, improves the range of motion, and generates immediate and long-lasting benefits.

Highlights

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) - recognized as the most common chronic orofacial pain condition - significantly impacts individuals’ quality of life and social coexistence
Starting from the analysis of the results found in the present study, the decrease in muscle pain is relevant, especially in the intervention group (IG), who used the level laser therapy (LLLT)
This study is unprecedented because it is the first in the region to investigate the effect of laser therapy on TMD

Summary

Introduction

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) - recognized as the most common chronic orofacial pain condition - significantly impacts individuals’ quality of life and social coexistence. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is seen as one of the most complex joints of the human body, formed by the articulation of the condylar head of the mandible and the glenoid fossa of the temporal bone, classified as ginglymusarthrodial It is considered a bicondylar joint, since it works simultaneously on both ends of the mandible, and presents a biconcave disc responsible for the protection of the articular structure by facilitating contact between the bone surfaces during the protrusion, retrusion, opening, and closing movements, and mandibular laterality (Aires et al, 2020; Bag et al, 2014; Lima et al, 2020). Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is characterized by a series of clinical signs and symptoms that could affect the TMJ, masticatory muscles, and associated structures, and alter the stomatognathic system homeostasis (Calixtre et al, 2015)

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