Comparative Study of the Physiotherapeutic and Drug Protocol and Low-Level Laser Irradiation in the Treatment of Pain Associated with Temporomandibular Dysfunction.

BACKGROUND

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a structure of the craniofacial complex affected by neurological diseases. Orthopedic and musculoskeletal changes can also cause temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and pain. Low-level laser (LLL) therapy has been studied in the treatment of temporomandibular jaw (TMJ) dysfunction, and controversial results were obtained.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this work was comparing the physiotherapeutic and drug protocol (PDP) to LLL therapy in the treatment of pain associated with TMD.

METHODS

A sample of 60 female patients, 20-50 years of age, TMD triggering agents (stress, parafunctional habits) controlled, was randomly divided into three groups, group 1 (G1)-LLL (780 nm laser, dose of 35.0 J/cm2, for 20 sec, thrice a week, for 4 weeks); group 2 (G2)-PDP (hot packs thrice a day, morning, afternoon, and evening, for 15 min, exercise of opening and closing the mouth, twice a day, myorelaxing and anti-inflammatory drug administration); and group 3 (G3)-Placebo (450 nm halogen lamp, Max LD Gnatus, light curing unit).

RESULTS

Patients were evaluated every return appointment for the presence (P) or absence (A) of pain for 4 weeks and results were statistically analyzed. First week: 60% of G1, 100% G2, and 70% of G3-related pain. Second week: 55% of G1, 15% of G2, and 100% of G3-related pain. Third week: 10% of G1, 15% of G2, and 85% of G3-related pain. Last week: 0% of G1, 0% of G2, and 100% of G3-related pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on obtained data, we concluded that, compared to PDP, LLL treatment is effective to control pain associated with TMD.