This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of piroxicam associated with low-level laser therapy compared with single therapies in 32 patients presenting temporomandibular joint arthralgia in a random and double-blind research design. The sample, divided into laser + piroxicam, laser + placebo piroxicam and placebo laser + piroxicam groups, was submitted to the treatment with infrared laser (830 nm, 100 mW, 28 s, 100 J cm(-2) ) at 10 temporomandibular joint and muscle points on each side during four sessions concomitant to take one capsule a day of piroxicam 20 mg during 10 days. The treatment was evaluated throughout four sessions and 30 days follow-up through visual analogue scale (VAS), maximum mouth opening and joint and muscle (temporal and masseter) pain on palpation. The results showed that all the study groups had a significant improvement in the VAS scores (P < 0·05), and there were no significant group differences. Piroxicam was effective in the reduction of joint and muscle pain on palpation (P < 0·05) and showed the lowest temporal pain (P = 0·02) at the 30-day follow-up. The combination of low-level laser therapy and piroxicam was not more effective than single therapies in the treatment of temporomandibular joint arthralgia. The use of piroxicam was more effective in the following 30 days.

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IntroductionDentin hypersensitivity (DH) is defined as high sensitivity of the vital dentin when exposed to thermal, chemical or tactile stimuli. Two mechanisms are required for the occurrence of DH: (1) the dentin must be exposed and (2) the dentinal tubules must be open and connected to the pulp. Molar–incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) is a qualitative abnormality of a genetic origin that affects tooth enamel and, in most cases, is accompanied by DH. The control of tooth sensitivity is fundamental to the successful treatment of MIH. The aim of the proposed randomised, controlled, clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of different protocols for the control of DH in patients with teeth affected by MIH.Methods and analysisOne hundred and forty patients who meet the inclusion criteria will be allocated to four groups. Group 1 will be the control group (placebo). In Group 2, sensitive teeth will be sealed with PermaSeal (Ultradent). In Group 3, sensitive teeth will receive low-level laser (LLL, AsGaAl) at a wavelength of 780 nm (Laser XT Therapy, DMC, São Carlos, Brazil). In Group 4, sensitive teeth will be treated with both LLL and PermaSeal (Ultradent). DH will be evaluated 15 min after the application of the treatments and the patients will be reevaluated 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after the treatments. The primary outcome of this study is change in pain/sensitivity, when evaluated through a Visual Analogue Scale, to determine the effectiveness of the proposed treatments, as well as differences among the evaluation times for each proposed treatment.Ethics and disseminationThis protocol has been ethically approved by the local medical ethical committee (protocol number: 4.020.261). Results will be submitted to international peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences.Trial registration numberNCT04407702.