Wavelength effect in temporomandibular joint pain: a clinical experience

Abstract

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are common painful multifactorial conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and whose treatment depends on the type and symptoms. Initially, it requires pain control, and, for this, drugs, biting plates, occlusal adjustment, physiotherapy or their association are used. Lately, laser phototherapy (LPT) has been used in the treatment of pain of several origins, including TMDs. This study reports the treatment of a selected group of 74 patients treated at the Laser Center of the Federal University of Bahia between 2003 and 2008. Following standard anamneses, clinical and imaging examination and with the diagnosis of any type of TMD, the patients were prepared for LPT. No other intervention was carried out during the treatment. Treatment consisted of three sessions a week for 6 weeks. Prior to irradiation, the patients were asked to score their pain using a visual analog scale (VAS). Lasers of wavelength (lambda)780 nm, lambda790 nm or lambda830 nm and/or lambda660 nm were used at each session (30/40 mW; spot (varphi) approximately 3 mm; mean dose per session 14.2 +/- 6.8 J/cm(2); mean treatment dose of 170 +/- 79.8 J/cm(2)). Of the patients, 80% were female ( approximately 46 years old). At the end of the 12 sessions the patients were again examined, and they scored their pain using the VAS. The results were statistically analyzed and showed that 64% of the patients were asymptomatic or had improved after treatment and that the association of both wavelengths was statistically significant (P = 0.02) in the asymptomatic group. It was concluded that the association of red and infrared (IR) laser light was effective in pain reduction on TMJ disorders of several origins.

he effects of low level laser therapy on the management of chronic idiopathic orofacial pain: trigeminal neuralgia, temporomandibular disorders and burning mouth syndrome

“…In all 3 groups, greater VAS reduction was observed after the application of 810 nm laser compared to 660 nm laser. In a study by Carvalho et al, it was observed that greater laser wavelength was associated with greater pain reduction 36 . Previous research showed that the effectiveness of LLLT is greater when used in the spectrum of 780 to 904 nm because of increased penetration.…”

Application of Low-Level Laser Therapy In Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: Literature Review

“…TMR, orofasiyal bölgedeki odontojen kaynaklı olmayan ağrının başlıca sebebidir ve iskelet-kas rahatsızlıklarının bir alt sınıfı olarak değerlendirilir (1). TMR, başlıca semptomları kas ve eklem ağrıları, alt çene hareketleri ve ağız açıklığında kısıtlanma ve eklem sesleri olan multifaktöriyel durumlardır (2). Toplumun %40'ından fazlası bu belirtilerin en az birine sahiptir fakat bunların sadece dörtte biri bu belirtilerin farkındadır ve %10-20'si tedavi gereksinimi duymaktadır (3).…”

“…NSAİİ enflamasyonu önlemede başarılı olsa da gastroentestinal yakınmalar ve nefrotoksisite gibi komplikasyonların artışına sebep olabilmektedir (7). Bu noktada Düşük Seviyeli Lazer Terapisi (DSLT), kolay uygulanabilmesi, sınırlı tedavi süresi, analjezik, antienflamatuar, rejeneratif etkileri ve minimum yan etkiye sahip olması sebebiyle iskelet-kas rahatsızlıklarının tedavisinde alternatif bir tedavi seçeneği olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır (2). (10).…”

Optical Spectroscopic Analysis of Muscle Spasticity for Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

“…For laser therapy applications, it is important to know the penetration and heat generation of laser in tissue in order to select optimal criteria such as wavelength, fluence, and beam size to afford the desired penetration for stimulating tissue healing in deep seated pathologies [23,24]. LLLT has demonstrated a number of biological and clinical efficacious results for muscle treatment, but this therapy has not been fully supported by scientific evidence due to the absence of quantitative assessments and treatment feedback data in real time.…”