TREATMENT OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT (TMJ) PAIN WITH DIODE LASER THERAPY

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Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain can be very debilitating for the affected patient, particularly when it is a chronic disorder associated with temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Low reactive laser therapy (LLLT) has been proved effective in a variety of pain etiologies, and low incident levels of diode laser irradiation are very effective in relieving TMJ joint pain associated with TMD, as the first stage in a two-staged strategy in the successful treatment of TMD. The present study reports on four representative cases of TMJ pain treated with a GaAlAs diode laser, 830 nm. continuous wave, 150 mW for 5 to 10 sec/point, once per week. Incident energy densities were from approximately 20 J/cm² to 40 J/cm². One of the possible pain relief mechanisms involves the LLLT-mediated improved microcirculation in the temporal and masseter muscles, thereby relaxing and softening the affected muscles and relieving the pain. This also helps with cases of trismus. LLLT is side-effect free, is easy to apply and is well-tolerated by all ages and conditions of patient. When used in combination with conventional orthodontic maneuvers to remedy the functional defects behind the TMD, LLLT offers the practitioner a safe and effective method for pain relief in troublesome TMJ pain patients.