Low-intensity laser therapy and functional orthopedics in the treatment of pain from temporomandibular disfunction

Abstract

Temporomandibular Disfunction (TMD) is a term used to describe disorders, which involve temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory muscles, and associated structures, isolated or not, whose most frequent symptom is pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate pain and buccal mobility in subjects with Cl II malocclusion and TMD symptoms, treated with low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) and functional orthopedics (FO), associated or not. Eighteen subjects were selected and divided into three groups. Group 1 was treated with LILT, l = 780nm, 70 mW, 15 J/cm2 per point during two weeks. The application was in three points around the TMJ, and trigger points of masticatory muscles. Group 2 received Planas functional appliances and it was evaluated once a week during two weeks. Group 3 received both treatments at the same time, and the first laser application coincided with the appliance installation. Subjects answered a questionnaire with a score for pain evaluation after palpation. There was pain relief for the 3 groups and no statistical differences were observed among them, however, group 3 showed a remission of pain faster than other groups. This finding indicates the association of the LILT with FO for pain relief in TMD.